This is my own A-to-Z Challenge for the month of June — likes and dislikes. If you want to join me, just add a comment of something you like that begins with the letter A and something you don’t like.
Authenticity
I’m applying for a new job. I saw Mary staring at the printed resume and cover letter in my hand. Her brow was slightly furrowed. “What?” I asked. “Does the paper look like it expired in 2017?” It’s kind of a running joke at the house these days. We keep finding outdated food items.
She pointed to the cover letter printed on plain old white paper. “This looks very professional,” she said. Then, pointing at the resume printed on a heavier slightly marbled-looking paper, she said, “But this is more you.”
“Great,” I said. “I’m going to use it.”
I hate trying to pretend to be something I am not. I said something like that to one of my co-workers when I was struggling to hide my irritation with a situation. “Stick with me,” she said, “and I’ll teach you how.”
She is masterful at gooey niceness and then making nasty comments as soon as the person is gone. It bugs me.
And I can’t do it.
Instead of learning to be fake, I would rather learn to appreciate the other person for whatever their strengths are.
And I would rather be true to who I am — dated marbled paper and all.
“The authentic self is the soul made visible.” Sarah Ban Breathnach
Is toil leam fìrinn.
Scottish Gaelic for “I like authenticity.”
I do NOT like aches and pains.
I’ve reached that age of joint pain and arthritis. Honestly, this is for the birds. I hate it.
My shoulder was bothering me a few weeks ago — a sharp stabbing pain when I stressed it in a certain way. I kind of like my shoulder. I especially like it when it’s pain-free.
So I called to see a health care provider in orthopedics about it. I just wanted someone to look at it and, “You’re fine,” or, “This is what’s going on.” My first appointment, which was scheduled two weeks out, was cancelled when the provider got COVID. The second appointment, scheduled two weeks after the first, was exactly what I had hoped for.
I had an x-ray. “You have a little arthritis,” she said, “but I would be surprised if you didn’t.” Advanced age and all that.
“Everything today looks fine,” she said. “Continue your usual activities.” These include swimming and climbing.
That was last week and I still have yet to do either, but I’m glad for the go-ahead.
Cha toil leam pian co-phàirteach.
Scottish Gaelic for “I do not like joint pain.”
How about you? What do you like that begins with A? What do you dislike?
Hot Dogs and Marmalade 