Rules are forever

Often a high school graduate or an 18 year old thinks he or she has come of age. No longer will they be restricted by parental rules. They've been set free of restrictions.

Hello? I have news. There are rules from age two to 92. All through life, there are restrictions, rules to be followed. Always, there will be someone to tell you what to do and what not to do.

It's called rules.

At age two, it's "No, no, honey. Don't touch mama's pretty vase."

Or "Don't eat the napkin. We don't eat napkins."

At age six, it's "Hold my hand when we cross the street."

"Eat your carrots. Then you can eat cake. That's the rule."

"Don't talk with food in your mouth."

"Wash your hands.'

At fourteen, it's "Call if you're going to be late."

No, you can't go out on weeknights."

"Do your homework.."

Christians have rules. Christians are told in the Holy Bible to follow the Ten Commandments

Thou shalt not steal; thou shalt not commit adultry, though shalt not covet, though shalt not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Thou shalt honor your father and your mother. Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy..

And others.

The inspiration for this article came from a book I just read. The Newberry Honor book was written by Cynthia Lord, a woman who has two children, one of whom has autism. She writes the novel from the viewpoint of a 12-year-old girl whose younger brother has autism.

In a notebook. the sister has made a list of rules for her brother, David, who needs rules.

One of the rules for David is that a boy can take off his shirt and swim, but not his shorts.

And, you can yell on a playground but not at dinner.

Also an important rule, No toys in the fish tank, a rule that David repeatedly breaks..

The book explores the feelings of Catherine, the sister, who lives in a family where life revolves around her brother's disability.

Catherine sometimes babysits her brother and that's not a fun thing to do.

She just wants a normal life.

There are funny moments, happy moments, and sad ones.

When my (then) boyfriend enlisted in the United States Air Force in the 50s, I'm sure he didn't forsee all the rules and regulations that were before him. He had recently graduated from high school and he was free!

But he soon learned about military rules.

"Rise and shine, soldier boy."

His crewcut had to be kept a certain length. He had to wear his cap when he wore his military fatigues. He had to salute his superiors, no matter where or when the encounter. He had to march in cadence. He had to spit shine his black shoes so they would pass inspection. And there were many inspections in his barracks.

He had to stop in his tracks and stand at attention when the National Anthem was played on the military base........stop, and salute the flag.

He had to be on time, never late, for flights, debriefings, meetings. If a military man and his family lived on a military installation (base housing), there were many rules to be followed. The yard and trimming had to be precise, no higher than a certain height. One dared not leave a porch light burning overnight or there would be writeups for the record. No recreational vehicles could be parked in the driveway, such as campers, boats. There was a special parking area for such vehicles. And curfews.

My boyfriend learned that rank has its privileges. He had many bosses telling him what he could and could not do.

He lived with 20 years of rules...daily rules and obligations.

There are rules for the elderly too.

"Hold my arm, mama. I don't want you to fall."

"No, mama. Sit here, not there."

No, mama. You can't have popcorn now. It's almost suppertime."

"Let's get you ready for bed. It's bedtime now, mama."

Remember the rules..