Someone recently said some terrible things about me and my wife Kari in a report to the local court. I was very angry and wanted to retaliate until I remembered a story told by President Gordon B. Hinckley in a conference talk:
Once a man who had been slandered by a newspaper came to Edward Everett asking what to do about it. Said Everett, “Do nothing! Half the people who bought the paper never saw the article. Half of those who saw it, did not read it. Half of those who read it, did not understand it. Half of those who understood it, did not believe it. Half of those who believed it are of no account anyway” (“Sunny Side of the Street,” Nov. 1989; )
So I will let these silly little people say what they want and we will move forward with dignity.
I have no problem with retaliation, Bob, and I’d be glad to “take care” of the situation for you >:]
But, this isn’t a newspaper. If it’s something that’s going to affect any outcomes in any future courts [heh.. Judge Dread?] then you do need to write to the court adding your side.
The older I get the wiser my mother becomes. One of her favorite sayings was, “The more you stir shit the worse it smells.” I’m not raising or adopting any more kids…The statements in the report were half-truths and out-right lies. Kari and I are dog-tired of trying to do what is right for those girls. When you sleep with pigs you get up smelling like pig manure.
Many young people that I’ve known have disappointed me but then come back to regain my respect later. Some people have interceded on my behalf in a situation and earned my life-long respect. But some people have dissapointed me will NEVER regain my respect because they have “disrespected” me so badly.
When I was considering adopting my daughters I asked my friend Mike if it was a good choice or a bad choice. He said, “It’s a no-lose situation. If they turn out good you can say, ‘good parenting,’ If they turn out bad, then you can say, ‘Not my genes…tainted and defective material to begin with.’
Need I say more?