quotable

Someone said to me recently: Oh, so you’re an English as a second language teacher now, but your second language is actually love?

The snark slowly, heavily dripped from each syllable. The burn of that statement ate away at the deepest of my connective tissues. Melting away the fabrication of (the old) me.

It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it

Mom

I’m using her wisdom that she oh-so often used to torment me with (and I her) for the nearly two decades I lived in her house. Thanks, Mom.  

That is my optimistic interpretation. Optimistic, you say?! Why yes! When someone doles out their judgement in such a harsh and cruel way, kind words coated in disapproval, you can relish in their intention; fall into their dank pit they are speaking from.

Or you stay up where there is light, and use it to see what is behind those words of intended discomfort: Lack of understanding? Wanting to stay with how things were, rather than progressing into the unknown? Wanting to stay with how things were, rather than progressing into the unknown? Disbelief in your personhood? Projecting their frustrations?

Fact:  I don’t know what was behind the words, but I do know that I thought before I responded.  

The response was not to spite her cloak and dagger, but well… practice (ACT) as you preach, the wise folk say.  I removed the curtain of jest and answered with a monotone honesty that came with an ease I wasn’t anticipating:

Yes. Yes – I am.  I’m so glad you see me for what I really am.

Funny how that can happen.