Recently my friend Mary Ellen called and she was excited because the television network Animal Planet had firmed up the date to broadcast the piece they filmed of her and her kitties and she wanted her family and friends to tune in. She is a warm, giving person and she had every reason to be excited about such a special event.
But I was immersed in my writing and was mildly curt. She asked about my writing and then suggested I call her back, which I gladly did several minutes later. By this time I had thought through what happened and was far more personable and interested. I gave her the depth of attention she deserved. And when her Animal Planet piece played on Saturday night (4/7/12), it was superb and I let her know that, and let the Animal Planet and its viewers know it by posting on their Facebook page.
Meanwhile, my dentist had done work in my mouth and needed to adjust my overnight protective mouth guard to again fit me properly. But this very kind man got caught up in the stress of being far behind in his schedule from having been out with pneumonia and from his credit card provider altering the way it processes his patients' credit cards.
As a result, he abruptly juggled our schedule and I wound up making 3 or 4 visits, the last visit, patiently waiting in the dental chair as he talked at length with his credit card processor. But when he resolved his issues, he was nice as can be and we wrapped up the mouth piece adjustment.
At first I was irritated with him from his juggling our time together without giving me notice, but knowing what a fine man he is, chose to say nothing. This was far different from what I would have done for most of my adult life, when I would have raised the roof. But I was thankful to have instead remained personable and in control of myself, extending to this kind and capable man the patience and sympathetic ear I hope others will extend to me.
Dick
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