The truth is, I'm getting tired of humbling moments. I have a silly notion that by the time you're in your eighth decade, you ought to be above that sort of thing, i.e.: you're past being humbleable. (I know, it's not really a word, but I think you can tell what I mean.)
I live in a place full of people within ten years on either side of my own age, and half of them, I've become convinced, have either forgotten how to read or simply don't bother any more. I just submitted to a website entitled "My Name Is Not Bob." Its author had already sent me a message signed "Robert."
I claim a small excuse: I'd just spent my third two-hour session with AT&T in an effort to regain my e-mail service, and I was cross-eyed. Still, I addressed this poor gentleman as "Bob!" What's really humbling about that is that I now have to swallow all those snide remarks I've been making about people who go into the library, ignore the 81/2" x 11" card posted to provide instructions on how to sign out a book. I have to restrain my scorn when reminding someone that the item is on the calendar. I have to admit that I suffer "senior moments" too darned often.
If I write down something I need to remember, sometimes I'll spend ten minutes trying to find the piece of paper the note is on--since I can't remember what I wrote, only that I wrote something. So now, I have to ask myself if I've always been that way. One thing I know for sure: too often I'm in some kind of hurry. I like to think that 40 years ago I'd have written, "Dear Robert."
Sigh.
Old Moon
4 comments:
I understand perfectly, Joan.
I had a lovely houseguest for over a month and she is someone I've know for a few years.
Recently on introducing her, I said,
"Jennifer, I'd like you to meet Clarence."
She looked at me with a questioning stare. "Where did that come from?" she asked.
"I don't have a clue," I said, "I know your name is Rebecca."
I think our brains short-circuit from all the heat caused by the energy bouncing around in our writers' minds."
Can I get away with thinking that?
(smile)
I love that, Glenda. may I use it?
I have to laugh at this. I call all my children and grandchildren "honey" because I can't always come up with the right name instantaneously, so I think you're to be forgiven for "Bob."
Yes, Joan, you may use it. I have to find more and more excuses or rationale for forgetfulness.
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