…I have very little to say…so this is gonna go on for a while…

Yoga for Cynics

Wow. Major misunderstanding on my part. Here, I thought you wanted to be friends, however, it seems you were just biding your time until this, uh…show of maturity? So, how did our presumably friendly online chat take such an unprovoked turn?

Well, you instigated the chat to wish me happy holidays…or so I thought. (I’ve always been gullible—apparently still am.) The conversation turned to the subject of children, during which I sensed a beating on the chest, of sorts, on your bringing up of your own, and it sounded like your life was pretty much defined by your success in that accomplishment. How nice, I thought. But, it all turned quite unpleasant after you asked why I had none. My answer, which was neither here nor there, should have ended the kid talk, but instead, prompted a flurry of choice words from you…too old now…then…you missed that…”that,” as I understood it, being the joy and/or experience of the child-rearing process, which you had just expressed a moment before. I was incredulous of such crass remarks, so, to clarify, asked, What did I miss? Another flurry…ask your mom…ask your sister…confirmed my hunch. My subsequent silence was not because you seemed to have struck a nerve, as you so delicately put it, but was because I was so taken aback. That’s right, I’ll never know what it’s like to raise a child, is that what you mean? Your response of no was followed quickly with accusations of my tendency to jump to conclusions about one’s thoughts, as well as a mild expletive and insult, before running away. I was dumbfounded. And the entire interaction reeked of taunting.

So, just to set the record straight, I’m happy for folks who have children—even you—and, although I have none of my own, I am not at all sensitive to that fact. So, no, no nerve was struck, as you concluded (seems I’m not the only one who wrongly assumes what one is thinking). But, yes, I do often jump to conclusions about others’ thoughts. I look too deeply into people’s words and form assumptions…sometimes wrong…but not here. Your words kinda spoke for themselves.

So, no feelings were hurt, however, your retribution under the guise of friendship was not only underhanded, but disappointing.

Please note that Yoga for Cynics is not the subject of this post…I just loved the quote.