Bless You

Achoo!  In the last 72 hours, I have sneezed at least a thousand times and have gone through almost two boxes of Puffs Plus (they are the best tissues in the world!) due to the ever-annoying spring cold.  I don't recall however anyone in my family saying, "Bless you".  It occurred to me yesterday when I was driving my nephew to his high school as a favor to my sister.  Both my son and nephew were in the car when I sneezed and my nephew said, "Bless you".   It just fell off his tongue so naturally.  I then asked my son why he didn't say it to me.  His response?  Well he wasn't really sure why he didn't say it.  I pressed further asking him if he said it to other people like teachers and/or students and he said that he usually did.  Phew, at least I know he has some manners.  I certainly raised both my children to be polite and use such manners as "please" and "thank you" and "bless you" but when it came to saying it to his own mother, I guess it just didn't feel natural.  To me it's just the simple gesture of telling someone to be well.  I actually say, "Bless you" to strangers after they sneeze.  I honestly feel awkward if I say nothing.  Maybe he's just a typical teenage boy, right?  I mean I didn't expect him to say it a thousand times (which would equal the number of times I have sneezed this week) but once would have been nice.  I'll have to work on it; after all, he really is a great kid. He's smart, responsible and for the most part, polite and good mannered.   By the way, nice job Sis!  You've raised a very polite young man as well.

A~