Was paid the highest compliment today - in a least likely
arena by a least likely person.
It was whispered to me, in a room of solemn people by an
almost frail, elderly man; he leant over
and whispered, "That was absolutely
brilliant." With a real emphasis on
the word 'absolutely'.
I'm rather chuffed.
Getting unexpected praise does not come very often nowadays. Getting any praise nowadays is not the norm.
When Mr J was alive I was constantly blessed with many
praises from him - but then he was somewhat one-eyed in his love and opinion of
me, even when under the worst marital duress.
So it has been a long while since I've felt that little
emotional lift from someone who now thinks I should be put in the category of
"the bees knees". So I shall
take the compliment, log it and probably reflect on it until some dim time in
the future I may actually receive another.
Why and where did today's compliment come from? From the
Public Forum at my local Council's council office, of course.
I went batting for the underdog today. Have spent the past few weeks wondering why I
managed to unwittingly talk myself into standing up for those who did not have
the wherewithal or confidence to stand up for themselves. But something irked me and something inside
me said, "Come on Verna, help these people out."
So I did.
It was a small matter, but a matter that meant a lot to my
elderly neighbours. A matter that had
been affecting their daily lives, be it unnecessarily so. I figure that in a few years I too may find
small matters are not too small in my future world, and wonder whether I would
be lucky enough to have a plucky, slightly younger neighbour who will stand up
for my issues. Most likely not. Life nowadays does seem to be so self focused
for folk that come difficult situations that don't affect them personally they quickly
walk away. Like those folk who walk
around and over the dog poo on the footpaths rather than stop and remove it to
prevent some other sole stepping in it.
Silly comparison, but one I witnessed recently.
So my neighbours had an issue they had been playing email
ping-pong with over the past 15 months with employees and contractors from our
local council. It was not long after I
moved into this property that they poured me a glass of
welcome-to-the-neighbourhood wine and casually mentioned an issue which had
been frustrating them for some period. I
let the comment pass while we spent more important talking time on discussing
other neighbours.
As the next few weeks passed I had reason to view the
problem they had raised and as I saw examples on an almost daily basis I began
to feel for the dear folk next door. I
could see and understand how they must be feeling to be confronted daily with
an unnecessary annoyance.
So, one day, I emailed Council. To my surprise I received a relatively prompt
response and not a response telling me that I could expect a response in 3-4
working days, but a direct response to my enquiry. It was helpful. And it gave me a name of a Council employee
with whom I could direct further enquiries and questions, which I did.
Following some weeks of further emails, to that particular
employee, and then others more senior and then an actual personal telephone call to me from the Head Bureaucrat
of that department I felt some gratification that whilst we were still going in
circles, there had been reaction from a governing department, be it not
specifically helpful.
After going in many circles and getting nowhere a probably
most frustrated Council employee suggested that should I feel their answers
were not satisfactory I could take up the opportunity to put my 'issue' forward
at the Public Forum at the next Council meeting. To do so would mean I would have to pre-book
a submission to Council and be given the entirety of five minutes to present my
case.
With nothing to lose, literally, but ample to gain for my
neighbours, I decided I would. And did. To a room full of Council staff and members
who were no doubt dreading some old aged pensioner front up with yet another
boringly mundane and seemingly trivial problem.
Not to be a speaker who bored listeners my skills at lecturing on public
speaking came to the fore. Nonetheless I
spoke overtime, for 5 minutes and 45 seconds (I always go over speaking time). I knew I had nailed it though and this was
confirmed by the fact that the question and answer session from the full
Council members after my 5 minutes and 45 seconds lasted over 15 minutes. Such was the full acceptance of my 'issue',
be it an old one they had dealt with many times over the years, but one which
the Mayor and other Councillors seemed to want to finally make progress
on.
I got a result. The
Mayor is making personal phone calls and emails on our behalf over the
issue. I feel that's a result.
As I rose from the seat, desk and microphone I was placed in
to speak to all the Council members and walked back over to sit in the public
seating area, my bearded, elderly neighbour, who could not believe his luck
when I decided to take up their cause, leant over to me and said, "That
was absolutely brilliant!"
Whether Council, or Mayor, finally get things moving to fix
the problem, or not, I almost care not.
I feel endorsed with my commitment to help out a couple of reticent,
timorous, elderly and non-offending neighbours.
And no matter the source, I love unexpected compliments.
