Nemo got to the door just as a tremendous crack of thunder rattled the window. I held the door open for him. He looked up at me and said, “You gotta be kidding.” We are in the middle of a pretty loud storm and his dilemma was needing to go out and being afraid to go out. Finally, in a break in the noise, he scooted outside. He’s back in now, having done his job in double time.
I understand Nemo’s predicament. I’ve been there a few times. It’s like Sara used to say when she was a little girl and I asked her if she wanted something or other. “I do, but I don’t,” she’d say. Perfectly logical to me.
Most decisions have two sides; sometimes, more than two. When I was a college student, swimming was one of my activities. In those days, we needed four action classes in order to graduate. I remember having to dive off the high board into the pool as part of the course’s requirements. I climbed to the top of the ladder, looked down at the water far, far in the distance and said, “I don’t think so.” Then, I looked at the determined (all right, Mean) face of my instructor. “I do, but I don’t,” I muttered. Finally, after hesitating as long as I dared, I closed my eyes, jumped, and did a wonderful belly-buster.
But then, to be fair, let me say that none of the phys. ed. classes and I did well. Tennis wasn’t much better. Were the instructors all really hateful or was it just the way I looked at them? Probably, it was in my imagination, but that was my viewpoint, and my viewpoint was the only one I had.
I like to think that I’m open-minded, but lest you think I’m really a waffler, let me hasten to assure you that many times I have no trouble at all in reaching a decision. In those cases, I find it difficult, if not impossible, to see two sides. I see only one. Not that I’d call that exactly exemplary. I’ve been called obstinate, but I prefer the term ‘honest.’
The thunder fades into the distance, but I’m thinking it is pausing to gather reinforcements and is getting ready to come again. Flooding will be a real possibility in low places. Nemo has finally decided to settle down and make the most of the morning by snoozing. The aroma of freshly perked coffee drifts in from the kitchen. If you were here, we’d share a cup or two or three. It’s nice to start the day with a rainstorm, coffee, and friends. And, there’s no doubt about that!
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