In school, long before Dyslexia was even known and I misspelled words, my teachers thought I was stupid and lazy and told me so. My father thought I had character flaws. School was a nightmare, and so was life.
I got so upset that I used to wet myself in class and at night and hide in the locker room and cry, giving all the hollow men and women something to jeer eat.
These days, I feel as if I’m back in school. When I said “Bud” instead of “Zip,” all Hell broke loose. One man said I was a threat to language and character; a woman said I probably had Dementia and should rush to a doctor, and others were shocked and outraged. The ghost of my teacher lives online.
It brought back a lot of memories. I did better than every one of those bullies and learned how to live with cruelty; it turned out to be a good thing; I learned a lot about empathy.
This is new, a social media thing; I like social media and use it, but sometimes I think it’s just become a playground for mannerless assholes with empty lives, precisely like the ones who came after me those years ago.
Rude, hollow, and humorless keep coming to mind. When I misspell a word, it’s almost a criminal offense.
Do they have anything better to do all day than correct my spelling? I guess the answer is no, I guess. For someone who suffered a severe concussion a few months ago, my doctors say I’m doing great.
I can’t even imagine taking time to presume to diagnose strangers I don’t know and criticize them for something I don’t understand. But it is a part of life; I have learned to live with it and accept it. Lately, I’ve learned to laugh at it.
But my life is no longer a nightmare; it is better and fuller than I ever expected.
I’m sure I am much happier than hardly any of those pompous and unempathetic jerks; you have to be a little miserable to do that. The good news is that I am used to it; it’s the dark side of being human for many people.
The old cliche is true: what doesn’t kill you strengthens you. And Thoreau was right; the idea of minding one’s own business is getting lost, even more than a hundred years ago. He wouldn’t believe it today.
Zip is a joy and an inspiration for me. Now that it’s warm, we have a new meeting place, the blue chair outside where he waits for me. Wherever he is, he comes running.
I sit down, and he climbs on my shoulder and purrs while I scratch his ears. I didn’t know this was what it is like to have a cat, although I’m sure Zip is unusual. Zinnia comes too, happy to lie on the ground and take the sun.
Life is good. Zip thinks I’m just swell, which, oddly, means a lot to me.
I never knew where Zip was, but he always knew where I was and showed up. Cats have magical powers.
We provide Zip with fresh water daily; he prefers to drink with the animals and use the heated water tub.
I love how cats find high ground to look at the world; I know it’s bad news for mice. Zip is a great blessing, even as I work to understand our friendship.
Practically all of us are on your side Jon. We all knew what you meant.. Didn’t know three letters could make such a difference in some people’s lives.
It’s all good, Gail. Thank you. I’ve popped up in a beautiful place with a wonderful woman, animals I love, a blog I love to write, and flowers I love to photograph. I have no complaints; they are just some memories I’m working through.Thanks for the kind words. I have a lot of friends here.
Zip, Bud and all the other animals don’t give a hoot how you spell ……
And isn’t that a wonderful thing?
Yay Jon
Yes!
I had a cat called Lucy and also a Lily so when Willow arrived she ended up being called “Lillo” so often that it stuck. My mum always called me P-Carolyn and my brother C-Pete. We all do it, all the time.
In my recovery group my sponsor sensed I was way too focused on what other people thought of me and the things I did. So she taught me a mantra” It’s none of my business what you think of me” I use it every day!!
That’s a brilliant mantra that I’m going to adopt
Oh Jon, I got a giggle reading your post. I have 1 sister, we had a cat and a dog. When my mom would call me from the yard it was always my sisters name then the dog or cat and finally she would say ” you know who I mean!” Nd I did know who she meant. My mom is now 89 and has Alzheimer’s. She still members my sisters name and mine is now ” you’re the other one”. Honestly, I am so grateful mom members me at all. Always find the humor. And really, Zip doesn’t care or me either.
My daughter is dyslexic and she too writes a lot. Honestly language is a tool, not a weapon. Just delete those jerks. I am an admin on a couple of FB pages and I just ban people who are jerks. I LOVE your blog, your photos, your story, your authenticity.
Cats can provide unconditional love after all! Yay! We gotta take it where we can get it.
Hi Jon, This mix up of names is very familiar to me, my Mom had 7 children, so sometimes I ‘d hear a list of names before she got to mine, so 6 & then me. She did not have dementia, just a full house. Further as a twin, I usually was called by her name & learned to answer to it, just to be polite. Now, when people call me by her name I still accept it with grace, as she died 7 years ago. I always smile as I read your “mis calls”. Definitely not dementia just something with LOVE behind it. Jean
Oh, yes, I have to chuckle. For years I have called my grandson by his Dad’s name and vice versa. They just all know, and we all smile and call it endearing. You and Zip are delightful.You too Marcia
Since I’m a more recent guest to your page, I wasn’t really sure about the use of “Bud” in that infamous post so I read on until I figured it out. Yay me? It really wasn’t difficult. Now you made me laugh as I read the caption under Zip’s photo on this post. Full steam ahead, sir.
Thanks, Peggy, and welcome. It is always exciting around here.You are very welcome. My concussion a few months ago thanks you also…
I don’t have dyslexia, a recent concussion or anything else, and I go through names like a demented list. (I’m not demented either, BTW.) My husband, son and friends all wait patiently for me to get the right one, and move on. I bet those people get everything perfectly, magnificently (!) right the very first time all the time. NOT!
Small minded people always have their hate antennae out, looking for reasons to fault others. Says more about them than you Jon. Smother them with laughter, they hate it when they don’t succeed in ruining your day 😁
You and Maria are awesome!
My Grandmother was one of the smartest people I’ve ever known, except for names. I got used to being called “Esther, ah, Ella, ah Jerry, ah, Marian, ah, EMMY!” Marian once remarked her name was Ella, ah, Esther, Judy, ah, Emmy, ah, MARIAN!” I really miss that, sixty years later.
Reading all these posts, I can’t help but think, what a wonderful group of people. As children, my brother and I would often be called by our dogs name, which was “Spotty”. Great.
Your ruminations in this post , putting everything in it’s correct perspective,could not have been written any better, by anyone.
I still remember my mother telling me when people made hurtful comments, to “let it go in one ear and out the other.”
Hi Jon, I have to tell you that I got caught calling Zip, Bud, when I was telling my husband about this writing when you said Zip climbs on your shoulder when you both are on the porch. I said BUD! We laughed and can see how easy that is to do even from afar in California! People are too hyper sensitive aren’t they? Love your writing!
Thanks, Joan we’re gonna have to have you checked out 🙂