A going-away reception.
"Yes sir, and it's all quite simple really [me talking to myself, at least initially] . . . you just get a gift . . . oh but don't forget the card (hey, what's a gift without a CARD - but remember, it's gotta be the RIGHT card) . . . and don't forget it's a buffet, so, again, a NICE bottle of wine . . . but what's wine without dessert . . . preferably something you made yourself . . . I mean, you do CARE about this person, don't you?!! . . ."
But if that's just Neurotic Me (who's merely attending) getting all bent out of shape, imagine what it may be like for even the more or less sane hosts/organizers?
It has got to be, I think, one of the more brilliant ingenuities of that Other Spiritual Realm, to take what might otherwise be - by Divine grace - a simple, kindly, unaffected human act or event of appreciation, and somehow grind it into something grimly intense . . . and perfectionist . . . and operationalized . . . and even oppressive . . .
In short, to take what might easily be a light (and yet strangely deep?), joyful, unburdening occasion, and make it into something awkward, pompous, over-cluttered and miserable.
Of course, again, that's just Neurotic Me talking. Along with that more or less tiny percentage of folks just like me. Because it can't possibly have anything to do with this never-more-laid-back, graciously diplomatic, loath-to-take-offense Global Age we're living in . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment