Random Memories
When I get stressed and anxious (as I am these days about work), the strangest old memories bubble to the surface.
My most generous gesture was a forgetful accident. It was my high school graduation and I was backstage about to go out and accept the top academic prize. One of my teachers, who was about to present me the award, quickly explained where I was to stand, to face and that afterwards I would help her walk down the stage steps. The problem was that in the glare of lights and bulbs and sounds, I forgot to wait and walked off the stage without her, only remembering what I was supposed to do when I got to the last step. So I stopped, turned and futility reached up and arm long after it was far too late. The awkward motion was interpreted by the audience as a gesture to pass their applause to the teacher, something that several people praised me for afterwards. Such a wonderful, generous idea. I wish I'd thought of it.
It occurs to me that many of the iconic moments in my life have come because someone completely misunderstood me.
My most generous gesture was a forgetful accident. It was my high school graduation and I was backstage about to go out and accept the top academic prize. One of my teachers, who was about to present me the award, quickly explained where I was to stand, to face and that afterwards I would help her walk down the stage steps. The problem was that in the glare of lights and bulbs and sounds, I forgot to wait and walked off the stage without her, only remembering what I was supposed to do when I got to the last step. So I stopped, turned and futility reached up and arm long after it was far too late. The awkward motion was interpreted by the audience as a gesture to pass their applause to the teacher, something that several people praised me for afterwards. Such a wonderful, generous idea. I wish I'd thought of it.
It occurs to me that many of the iconic moments in my life have come because someone completely misunderstood me.