By Patricia McClellan
I don’t think too many people would be surprised when I say I have a sense of humor. I love to laugh, and I’m not afraid to laugh at myself. Good thing, because humorous situations seem to follow me wherever I go.
Take the time I saw what I thought was an amazing yard sale. I turned around, went back to the house, got out of my car and started plundering through another man’s junk. I thought it wasn’t very well organized, but I figured they must have been in a hurry.
Before long, my hands were full of a flower pot, a couple of coffee cups, some tools I thought Fred would use and I had my eye on fairly new looking lawn chair.l
A gentleman came out of the house asking if he could help me.
“Yes, sir,” I said. “ I’d like to purchase these from your yard sale.”
Imagine my chagrin when he told me he wasn’t having a yard sale.
Bless my heart.
Then there’s my problem with names. I simply cannot remember them. For four years, I have run into the same lady at the grocery store. Every time, she hugs my neck, calls me by name and asks about my children, grandchildren and husband. She is genuinely happy to see me.
The trouble is, I have no idea who she is.
Four years into this relationship, and it’s much too late to ask.
And then there was my dear friend and coworker Cindy, whom I had known for five years She stopped by my office every morning. We talked, laughed, shared devotionals and prayed together before beginning our day.
One afternoon, I saw her walking ahead of me in the hallway.
“Debbie!” I called.
No answer.
“Debbie!” I said a little louder.
Still nothing.
Finally, I shouted, “Debbie!”
She stopped, turned around and looked at me quizzically.
“Are you talking to mte?”
“Yes! Why aren’t you answering me?”
“Because my name’s Cindy.”
I’d like to say I was embarrassed, but honestly, I had to laugh. I still call her Debbie but now she answers me.
Maybe that’s one of the blessings of getting older. We learn that perfection is overrated. We learn to give ourselves a little grace. And sometimes, the best thing we can do when we make a fool of ourselves is laugh.
After all, life is too short to take ourselves too seriously.
And if you happen to see me at the grocery store and I call you by the wrong name, please don’t be offended.
Just tell me who you are.
But please… don’t wait four years.
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