The Shirt Off Her Back
Most, almost all of our behavior is unconscious. We've said it before. But here's a good one. Both my parents passed away in the last four years, so I have accumulated a lot of things, hard as we try to donate, sell stuff on Ebay, and pitch. And my mom and I wore the same size. Cut off our heads, same body. So naturally, it is impossible to merely give away her wardrobe, and ditto for the jewelry, some of it, most of it, sort of. . . dated. Retro. I'll be at a brunch, or a holiday party, and one of my kids will compliment me on something, say a flamingo pin. My response, conditioned, unaware: You like it? Take it! It is yours! And I proceed to fiddle with the pin. No! No! That is not what I meant! I did not mean, by complimenting your obviously very rare and lovely pin that I want it. It looks good on you! Wear it in good health! Why do you always do this. We compliment something and you immediately begin to disrobe? Flummoxed. Makes no sense. ...