Driving to town to eat breakfast at 6:30 every Tuesday morning is a stretch for me. Tuesday is technically my “Monday”, so it is always a very full day. I joined the Optimist Club of Granbury almost 6 years ago, so most Tuesdays I try to get in gear a little earlier than usual. I was a Rotarian prior to moving to Granbury, but was drawn to The Optimist Club here because of the emphasis placed on serving children in Hood County.

The club raises some major funds every year to fund all kinds of worthwhile projects benefiting children. Each year over $16,000.00 is given to seniors graduating from Granbury, Lipan, and Tolar High Schools. Randall was fortunate enough to be a scholarship recipient in 2007. Daniel in turn received a $1,000.00 scholarship this year. This morning the students along with their parents joined us for breakfast. Each student addressed the club for a few moments.

While our club president was speaking this morning, I could overhear one of the students talking to her mother, who was sitting next to her. My first thought was: Where are your manners? Why did our scholarship committee choose this girl? She is obviously inept socially. And then it hit me like a ton of bricks….I was immediately remorseful.

I quickly determined that the girl’s mother did not speak English. I have been in settings numerous times when translation was necessary. It is very hard work.  And there is no way that the poor girl was translating everything. The proceedings were going too fast, and there was a lot being said in a short period of time. She was no doubt giving her mother the gist of the meeting.

When the young lady stood up to address the club, she shared her college plans with us. She is very ambitious! And she could not have been any more gracious. And of course she had to tell us that her mother did not speak English! I wanted to stand up and say: Most of these club members are really nice folks, but there is a judgmental fool among us this morning!

I was proud of Daniel this morning. And I was proud of Randall all over again! When the girl who grew up in a home where English was the second language shared her career goals, I nearly shed a tear. I was so proud of my fellow Optimist Club members for helping that girl realize her dreams. I wondered what her mother was thinking. She has overcome obstacles that the rest of the recipients did not face. The good news is that her bilingual skills will be a blessing to whatever career she chooses.

This morning’s experience was a turning point for me. I think I may move a little faster on Tuesday mornings from this point forward. I know I could be a more dependable club member. I have had to miss several meetings in recent weeks, because of my school work. Ironically I was using my Tuesday mornings to study for Conversational Spanish class. Oh well…I know one scholarship recipient who won’t have to worry about going back to school to learn Spanish!  Maybe in a few more years I can do the translating instead of the judging!