“Oh, is this the weekend of the big wedding? I can’t wait to hear about it on Monday!”
This is what each friend tells me. Such enthusiasm. Such great friends. Such caring. I’ll tell them every detail after the weekend. They’ll be spellbound when I describe how the couple arrived at the reception.
As with most special events, although the planning goes on endlessly, the actual event seems to last about twenty-five minutes in real time.
After it was over I asked myself, Who did I speak to? Did I remember to see everyone? Did I miss any of the hors d’oeuvres?”
Monday morning I meet my friends at our “Politics Against Politicians” meeting, knowing how much they’re looking forward to hearing about every aspect of the wedding.
I hope I remember everything. They’ll want to know all the details. When I arrived three of them were already seated, but the meeting had not yet begun.
“How was the wedding?” asked Margo.
“Oh, yes, chimed in Sabrina, we want to hear all about it.”
“Tell us everything,” added Diane. “It was a beautiful wedding, I began. The weather was perfect, and the…”
“Oh, I can just imagine, interrupted Diane. When my sister got married last May it was a picture perfect day.”
“You’re so lucky, re-chimed Sabrina, Our wedding took place on the rainiest day of the century. We could have hired gondolas to help people get there.”
Before I could get another word into their wedding memories Margo abruptly changed the theme of our discussion.
“I’ve been wanting to ask you whether you heard last week’s debate. I thought it was repetitious. Nobody made a point we haven’t heard before.I am getting discouraged.”
I’m the one who is getting discouraged. They all dismissed my wedding stories after I said; wait a minute; what did they give me a chance to say?
My feelings might have been hurt a little, but all is not lost. I’ll have another chance. Just wait until I tell them about my upcoming Safari to Botswana.
They will be so fascinated to hear about it.
MorristownMemos 
Comments on: "CARING, SHARING FRIENDS" (18)
I often find others only wish to listen to what they wish to hear.. And get caught up within their own experience… of telling their versions of stories… Take for instance if you are a new mum, I remember how everone when you are pregnant tell you how they gave birth..and then say.. I hope that didnt put you off or scare you!… 🙂
I Always love to attend a wedding…Contragulations to the Happy Couple! May they have lots of Happy Days .. I hope you too enjoyed your wonderful day….. Blessings to you and yours ~Sue
Thank you for your good wishes for the happy couple.
Yes, you are right; people listen to what they want to hear. I was taught that we have one mouth and two ears for a reason: to listen twice as much as we speak.
I love your 3D award on the sidebar – how on earth do you do that?!
I love your concept for Morristown, bringing out the good news. Great blog 🙂 And good luck in Botswana!
I got the 3D award from the blog, jakesprinter.He gave me permission to copy it.
Ronnie, what a wonderful expression albeit the “listening skills” of others! Yes, my friend, we live in a world full of mouths! Here is a verse from Sufi poet, Jalaludin Rumi:
“O tongue, you are an endless trasure.
O tongue, you are also an endless disease”.
Also, thank you for visiting my blog. Have left you a comment on my recent poem! It is a joy to have discovered you as well. Hope we continue journeying (such a word?) in our collective spheres! Keep sharing your work — we are “listening” ! cheers, my friend!
oops…”treasure” — i made a typo and wrote trasure! lol.
Interesting entry on human social behavior 🙂
Beautiful Entry my friend 🙂
Sounds like next time you might have to bring a gavel!
To hit them with?
Ronnie
They’ll certainly afford you the statutory minute’s attention before getting on to something more interesting, such as their own lives!
So important listening is, that’s why we have two ears and only one mouth.. 🙂
Subhan Zein
Yes, and they’ll think nobody on earth has ever had more fascinating happen to them.
Ronnie
Hi,
Make sure you get in first next time. 🙂
Safari to Botswana, Wow, that does sound great, I have never been on a Safari, so I am looking forward to that as well. 😀
Yes, this what make pushy people.
It is disheartening when you are excited to share details of a special event and the people with whom you are sharing those details turn them into a vehicle to tell their own tales.
That said, I’m all ears when you get back from Botswana and I promise to listen silently with rapt attention.
You’re such a rewarding audience. Would you like to hear about my tonsils operation?
My listening skills do have limits 🙂