Think Before I Speak
I never was good at talking to other people in some circumstances. I speak my mind long before I give thought to the words that tumble right out of my mouth. Needless to say I spend a lot of time apologizing for mis-speaking.
A couple of these blunders have remained memorable over the years. There was the person that found out he had rectal or colon cancer. There was a chance he might have to wear a colonoscopy bag and he really didn't want to do this. After a few drinks he brought this up with me and with all the tact I could muster... no, I take that back because I didn't give thought to my repsonse until I heard it being spoken. "Well I guess it's the bag or six feet under..take your pick." DAMN! I didn't mean to be that callous sounding yet there was truth behind those words.
Imagine my surprise when this man started laughing and was suddenly fine with whatever outcome may befall him. I am quite thankful to say, cancer was removed and he was fine and had no need for the bag that I DO understand would have been completely undesirable to have.
Then, there was the pending 50th birthday for my father in law. He started to put the hair dye in his hair to cover the graying but it tended to leave him with a shock of green tinged hair. He was taking this particular birthday rather hard so this time I TRIED.. I swear I meant well when I tried to cheer him up. I thought if I make the number smaller than 50 it would work. I was sincere and truely well intentioned when I finally came up with the perfect and comforting thing to say.. "Don't think of it as 50 but instead half a century."
In my head it sounded good but as soon as it was spoken I realized how horribly bad it sounded. In case I was confused at how horrid it sounded the look on his face spoke volumns. I had not helped at all and the snickers of others in the room weren't helping the situation any.
That was almost thirty years ago. He's remembered that when I turned 50 and I think everyone else that has turned 50 since then too. It's become a family joke.. that just won't die!
Maybe someday I'll be someone a person can come to when they need comforting but somehow I doubt it. I care mind you, I do. I just never come up with any words of comfort and when I do.. they are horrible. Comical but horrible!
