The other day I ran into a friend that I hadn’t seen in a while. He said that I looked good which I appreciate. And he asked about whether I was still doing OK meaning with my cancer hobby. And I said, “my cancer is so lazy” and then adding to that I continued with “or I don’t give it good ground to grow in”. He understood what I was getting at and wished me well and we parted shortly after.
Guy conversations are like that, short and sweet without the complications of details. I think most people appreciate a good short answer that is tailored for them. It’s understandable in their alley so to speak. My friend is a lineman for the power company, he doesn’t have time for the long answer when he is on duty. And we wouldn’t want to keep him from that either.
But sometimes I answer THE question with, “Oh God is keeping me alive for his own reasons.” which is a dandy short answer especially for a church audience. “I have good doctors and nurses.” which is indeed true could be a keeper. Or “God must think me humorous.” maybe. I don’t know there are hundreds of good short answers out there.
And yes, they are the short answers ultimately, useful but not complete. But really coming up with a good long answer seems maybe shrouded too deeply in the mists of life to be found with any sort of ease. It could take an hour to come up with something close and then it would only be a sort of loose knit approximation. And by that time your fellow conversationist may be asleep.
So, maybe it’s all good using the ever-changing short answer. It seems to do the job and keeps us all happy which is sort of the point most days. So breathe easy I am not going to accost you and tie you down to listen to something long and boring.
The way it appears loves, Felipé.
There are times the long answer gives an in-depth heart, soul, reality check that lets someone close to you sit with your reality. I would think that circle is small, intimate and has time for the long answer. I’d also imagine some days you’re not up to even taking your own time for the long answer. Just me, thinking.
Hi Bonnie ~ yea, just me thinking too. I guess this blog is really the long answer for me. And I’m back to the Institute tomorrow to see the gang. Thanks for being here with us. Felipé.x
So glad that God is keeping you around. Who you are and the way you live your life blesses us tremendously! Your posts are not only inspirational, they help to transform they way we live ours. God is using you Big Time! Blessings on you! Thanks for sharing! – short answer!
Ah, thank you Loretta. Hope you and Bruce are doing fine. You know another Veranda get together has already been scheduled for 2020. Thinking that the Marauders would be a good fit. Miss you. Felipé.x
First of all I’m grateful that you can make those short statements, that you got thumbs up from the doctor and that your writing is a blessing to so many of us.
But what I really got from that episode was that I need to work on short answers.
Loving shortly,
Ron
Ronaldo ~ I am grateful for my doctors and nurses. I am looking at the short answer as an art form maybe like haiku or a parable. Let’s see how much we can pack in it. Had a couple of hours with Debra yesterday, she’s back in town. Hello to Ann. Felipé.