225

Did you know:

225 is the first odd number with exactly nine divisors.

225 is the number of blogs I have written since September 2007, including this one.

The topics have been all over the place.

I have written about family recipes and stories, my children and their friends, my strokes and health, why I write for my dreams, publishing a book, my community, and my job. Things I see and sometimes upset me have been topics, along with the beauty around me.

When told to write blogs for the website, I was against it. I did not need another "busy task," or at least I thought so then.

Looking back to the beginning, these bogs have become a part of my life.

It's like keeping a journal that the public gets to see.

Over 224 blogs later, I realize the importance to me personally and for my family after I leave this earth.

Recently, I experienced two weird incidents that show how outrageous the world has become.

An unknown young man in his 20s asked me with all his confused sincerity - "What is etiquette? What does that mean?"

I learned that when I was a child but stood and stared blankly at the young man. How could he not know that?

"It is the conduct to live by in our lives—the teachings and morals of treating everyone with respect, dignity, and honor. Scruples are the conscience's ability to hesitate momentarily before doing wrong. It can be about table manners, but it is much more."

The young man just looked at me before asking: "Scruples?"

My parents and grandparents taught me right from wrong, but apparently, this young man needs teachers in his life. I am so proud that my ancestors took the time to instill principles, morals, scruples, etiquette, and table manners in my brain.

As the family unit has fallen into disrepair, has society lost these things along the way?

I can't guarantee that I will be the best grandparent, but I will be there for my family. This world has changed a lot since I was a child and will continue changing. I worry that civilizations' best efforts will not appear until long into the future.