Support Your Local Sheriff, or Extension Agent.

I had the pleasure of judging a few County Club Day events yesterday.  The weather was beautiful for traveling, Kenyon got to stay with one of his many, many grandmas and play, and I had some much needed quiet time in the pickup by myself.  My day was nearly perfect.  As for the agents that put countless hours of work and preparation into the event?.... I'm afraid I can't say the same.  

As most of the events for the morning were wrapping up I heard an angry mom pull an agent to the side.  She proceeded ambush the agent with a one-sided conversation that ended with a her throwing her arms up in a dramatic fashion and declaring at the top of her voice, "THIS IS BULLSHIT!"  

Undoubtedly the agent had just performed some act so egregious that the mother's life had been ruined for all eternity.  

Undoubtedly there had been some sort of loss of life.  

Undoubtedly the offended child, or children, had just suffered such atrocious acts that they would be scarred for life, destined for an adulthood full of addiction, prison time and gang tattoos.  

Undoubtedly.  

I have no idea what the exact nature of the conversation entailed.

I do know; however, that the mother's response was not justified.

I do know that she forgot she was engaging in a 'conversation' with another human being.

I do know that the agent had already put in a 40+ hour week preparing for this event, given up a Saturday morning with their family to make sure that other families would have the opportunity to grow and thrive.  On top of the regular work week, there had been night meetings and time on the road traveling.

I do know that 60 other families were happy with the day's events and pleasing absolutely everyone in existence is an impossible task.

I could take a really dark turn here and say that I do know things would have turned out differently if I could have had the opportunity to have a similar 'conversation' with this parent.... but I won't.

I do know that her behavior was just as she described - bullshit.

I do know that even if she comes into the agent's office on Monday morning with candy, flowers and an apology that some things cannot be erased.  The same 50 people that heard her scream 'BULLSHIT' will not be there to hear her whisper 'sorry'.

I do know that this mother has successfully had my blood near boiling point for almost 24 hours.

I do know that most extension agents work their tails off week in and out to make the world a better place full of happy, healthy, engaged citizens.

I do not know, but I sincerely hope that at least one person reads this and changes their attitude or behavior the next time they have a inappropriate, one-sided 'conversation' with another person.