Dear Cranky Old Guy at the Library,

You're joking, right?  You can't have been serious when you so rudely interrupted my delightful morning at the PUBLIC library with my two precious, and on this occasion, well-behaved three year olds twins.  I needed just two minutes, as you heard me explain to my wee-ones, to quickly find a magazine I was looking for (mama just needed a bit of home decorating eye candy to get me through the weekend), and then we would be on our way.  You also heard me ask them to please sit on the couch and to read quietly the new books they just checked out.  To my delight, they did just that.....sat right down and began reading quietly. They are three, you see, and they don't understand how to read to completely to themselves, so they instead read out loud, in their very cute three year old little voices.  I smiled to myself as I began to walk two aisles over to search for a magazine, enjoying hearing their little voices.   Then you had to go and ruin a perfectly good morning.  

Yes, I understand completely this is a library, and I get that it is supposed to be relatively quiet; but last I checked, people are allowed to speak out loud in a public library, and WOW, children are even welcomed in the library.  And yes, I get that you were "studying", but really? Their little voices were that disruptive to you? Gosh, I'd hate to see your reaction to them when they throw a bit of a tantrum, but I digress....And really, what was I supposed to do, leave them in the kids section by themselves, which is WAY OVER THERE, while I looked for what I needed WAY OVER HERE?  

And so, cranky old guy, I will pick up my very well behaved three year old twins and leave you to your peace and quiet (without my magazines, thank you very much).  And I will explain to my little boy, who so innocently told me that he would be quiet after I told him we had to leave, that he was being quiet and good and that we weren't leaving because he was being too loud. And I will also teach both my children that sometimes it's better to hold your tongue than to say what is really on your mind, cranky old guy.  And I will also teach them that sometimes it's nice to give someone a break, a little sympathy, and give a mom two minutes so she can find a magazine.  And lastly, this was a reminder to teach them to always treat others with kindness and respect, whoever they are, even three year olds who are trying their darnest to listen to their mom and be quiet and good in the library. I guess I should thank you for this opportunity to remind myself and my children of these important lessons, especially on today, September 11.

Have a nice day, cranky old guy. I hope you trip and drop all your books as you leave the public library.

Much Warmth,

Proud Mama to two very well behaved three year old twins (whew, I feel a bit better now)