READ? We are all works in progress. Some things are more of a challenge. Nobody is perfect. We can be ashamed of our deficits. It could be health related. It could be finances. Maybe a bad decision with the law. Everyone wants to improve SOMETHING. I am no different. I'd like to grow with someone. I'm a supportive woman. I'm up for any challenge. Or am I?
I was getting gas. He pulled next to my car. I thought I looked a mess. He thought I was kinda cute. We started talking that night. He told me he had his own business. He did home improvements. Our first few dates, he fixed everything in my house. He was really good with his hands. He didn't talk very much. I figured he was shy. He was a country boy. The simple things he appreciated. I wanted to show him some city life. We made plans for dinner and a movie. My treat. I made the reservation and told him the time. When he picked me up, he asked a lot questions about the menu. I told him they had a good selection for him to choose. He kept asking what was I going to order. I finally told him. We arrived at the restaurant. He didn't look at the menu. He just ordered what I ordered. After dinner, I suggested we pick up a paper. We had to decide a movie and time. I handed him the paper. He said he didn't care. I told him it was his choice. He became frustrated and said he didn't want to go. I asked him what was wrong. He finally said, "I CAN'T READ"! I was thrown. He told me that he had dropped out of high school. He memorized most things. New items were a challenge. I wanted to help him. I wanted to say that THIS was ok. It wasn't. I know couples have to work together. I'm not asking for too much. If I'm able to pay for the meal. You should be able to READ the menu.
Still Single
Why didn't see help him is the question, I would like to know
ReplyDeleteAdult illiteracy is a big problem in our communities. Other than pride, what is his excuse in 2011? There are free adult literacy programs in churches, community centers and public schools. How can he vote, teach his children, or get a drivers permit? He must be responsible for himself. If the writer wants to take him on as a project, then bless her. She does not OWE him that. All he has to do swallow his pride, man-up and ask for help. If she does not, then surely someone will teach him. But first he has to ask.
ReplyDeleteHe was to ashamed to ask
ReplyDeleteOr was he too lazy and was being enabled by people who felt sorry for him or didn't want to hurt his feelings? And more than likely they were other women. Is he the type who merely wants to "get over" in life or who takes responsibility and participates in it? There are too many folks sitting on the sidelines and leaving our futures up to someone else. Studies show that a boy who cannot read by 3rd grade is destined for prison. This is serious! Male or female; we MUST do better. Bring this man an application for an adult literacy class. Will ask for help to fill it out, or will she never see him again? Hmmm . . . .
ReplyDeleteI agree but disagree as well. If it was in her heart to help him then she would've helped him. Well need a push and encouragement in life.
ReplyDeleteAccording to anonymous, he should have been in jail already! "if you can't read by 3rd grade, you are destined for jail" WOW!. At least this brother has his own business and supporting himself. I do agree its not the responsibility for anyone to tell a grown man that he needs to learn to read. That probably is obvious, even to him. I wouldn't think twice about dating a man who couldn't read! BTW: I'm sure he knows how to get help.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is familiar. I had a guy I dated that couldn't read. Since, I consider myself Ms. Humanitarin I immediately went to the computer to find some classes for him. He started taking classes at PG College and then one-on-one. I believe he stopped going when it became to difficult. I blamed his mother, not because she had 10 children, but she enabled her son. She did everything for me and it just carried on in his adult life. One thing I can say, is that I tried to help him, but it was short-lived. He became jealous of me and everything I was trying to build for the both of us, so call me what you want, but I had to let that joker go and moveon.com
ReplyDelete