tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post1098027260468100045..comments2024-03-02T09:05:39.993-06:00Comments on Korinthia's Quiet Corner: Can we please do this again?Korinthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580286551375780490noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-34613359122441475422013-11-03T23:17:02.593-06:002013-11-03T23:17:02.593-06:00I'm fine to eat in silence, but it would be ni...I'm fine to eat in silence, but it would be nice to know if that's what other people wanted. And I did say essentially, "How're you doing?" and just got polite nods and smiles in return and that was that. For all I know they spent the whole meal thinking, "What on earth can I talk about with her?" but were more likely uninterested in my presence. (I may just have to resort to props. Bring a Rubik's cube and see if anyone wants to mix it up or try and solve it.)<br /><br />Looking forward to the next dinner there (regardless of the conversation or lack thereof).Korinthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15580286551375780490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-47979010526026354222013-11-03T20:53:17.756-06:002013-11-03T20:53:17.756-06:00I'm so glad you guys could come and that it me...I'm so glad you guys could come and that it meant so much to you. And if you hit on something brilliant for dinner conversation, let me know. We still struggle with that after years of volunteering there. The commenter above who thought to just ask "How are you?" has a good idea. Seems basic, but maybe it would be a welcome question for at least some of these folks. We've also come to realize that our desire to connect may not always match with the desires of the guests there, who may, for whatever reason, prefer to eat their meal in silence. While I'd like to try to create an opening for conversation, if they don't really want to talk, should I try to make them? It's hard to know the best thing to do.<br />sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08788232360532750416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-27095568803833019422013-11-02T18:40:38.948-05:002013-11-02T18:40:38.948-05:00Kids are often so intuitive about things that are ...Kids are often so intuitive about things that are good. It sounds like a wonderful experience. I mentored a teen mom for a while through a program in our city; we really enjoyed each other, but oh my gosh, I asked her some dumb questions trying to keep the conversation going. She was very patient with my ignorance.anymommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317877435130121894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-22677193202472174932013-10-30T12:46:30.311-05:002013-10-30T12:46:30.311-05:00That's great that you are doing that for your ...That's great that you are doing that for your community and your family. My mom has told me about the time when I was in elementary school and volunteered with her serving a meal at a homeless shelter. At the end of it all, I turned to her and told her that I now understood how important it was to brush my teeth every day. Kids have such a unique perspective and you never know what their key learning will be. I'm glad your kids enjoyed it and I hope you can work it into your schedule. Anne Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00230235099752718062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-91226395005881016402013-10-30T08:12:50.725-05:002013-10-30T08:12:50.725-05:00I love that you guys are volunteering, and helping...I love that you guys are volunteering, and helping others in a need. I plan on doing the same with Forrest for when he is old enough to understand the meaning of contribution, and helping others in need. I think a simple "how are you doing" would be nice in a conversation. They are often ignored on the streets, and aren't approached with a simple greeting. You'd be surprised how a small greeting would leave a lasting impact on a person. :) Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08274322927513770328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-65438931406713703382013-10-29T21:19:19.293-05:002013-10-29T21:19:19.293-05:00I feel ridiculous that it's taken this long (e...I feel ridiculous that it's taken this long (especially since the family that invited us to go with them has done that and more all the time and forever so they prove it's possible) but it is so hard to make time. But better late than never, and honestly my kids are at good ages for it now. We can all participate and I don't have to tend to them they way I would have not long ago.Korinthia Kleinhttp://the-quiet-corner.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-41777398651108965072013-10-29T21:10:06.997-05:002013-10-29T21:10:06.997-05:00good work Momma...very very good work. Our kids d...good work Momma...very very good work. Our kids do lots of service stuff through school, but I definitely want to do more as a family. My in-law's do ton of volunteer work and I want to try to get the kids more involved. It just seems so hard with all of the other "stuff" our kids do. Prior to 9-11 I did work in international humanitarian assistance and I try to bring that work into our family so they understand how lucky they are due to their happenstance of birth. Maybe bringing to a more tangible, local level will be better.Peghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02162890081910497200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-70444339857599388732013-10-29T21:01:20.069-05:002013-10-29T21:01:20.069-05:00I was actually hoping to listen, but nothing was f...I was actually hoping to listen, but nothing was forthcoming from the other side of the table, so maybe that's what others preferred anyway. I thought about asking about music, but wasn't sure really how. It does make you stop and reassess what things are common to all, doesn't it?Korinthia Kleinhttp://the-quiet-corner.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654887465201994138.post-50463366334664394972013-10-29T20:53:43.604-05:002013-10-29T20:53:43.604-05:00Beautiful. I'm so glad you all were able to v...Beautiful. I'm so glad you all were able to volunteer. I've been pondering the question of topics of conversation. Some things are universal, yes? What about favorite books or movies or music? Sometimes it's more important to just listen. <br /><br />I taught for seven years in a school with 99% free and reduced lunch. Many of my students were considered homeless because they lived in hotels. Many of my families had parents working two jobs and still barely making ends meet. You are absolutely right about the precarious natures of our lives. That was brought home to me on a daily basis. Rachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317328366288947798noreply@blogger.com