This Saturday, as I walked through a department store at the mall, I was reminded of a very awkward time in my adolescence. I saw a group of girls who couldn’t have been older than fourteen striding through the store, sporting braces, highlights and boy-band t-shirts- typical for girls of that age.

My sister and I heard them before we saw them, laughing hysterically at what must have been the funniest joke the world has to offer on one of their phones. In the midst of the laughter, one of the girls knocked over a large decorative pillow with her elbow and kept walking. That is, until a seventy-something, tweed jacket clad woman stomped over to the group and cleared her throat with an intimidation only an elder can summon.

“I’m sorry, dear,” the woman said. “I’m sure you’re too busy to realize how incredibly rude that was. Had you realized that you knocked over this store’s property, you would have cared to pick it up, right?”

Although I was standing twenty feet away and had no involvement in the encounter, I was petrified. The girl hung her head and walked back to place the pillow back on the shelf while her posse watched, jaws dropped. But it was only a few minutes before the group was giggling again.

As funny as I found the situation, I couldn’t help but think about who had put me in my place at that age. I realized that my older sister, having just matured herself, was the one to bring me back to reality when I began to stray too far. At the time, I resented her for calling me out if I was being rude, but now I’m grateful. I’m sure the pillow girl was embarrassed that day, but she was simply expected to do the right thing. Maybe in a few years she’ll be able to laugh at the encounter.

I realize that I might, and probably will, be mocking my current self in a few years. However mature we think we are, we’re never perfect, and could always use a little perspective. Thank God for the people willing to give it to us.