Something About Menus and Motivation

There was a woman I once knew who had

some serious issues. Walking together down

a busy Chicago street she pointed to a sky-

scraper and asked, I am sure rhetorically, if

I jumped from the top of that building would

death be swift and certain? For certain, yes,

was my reply. That’s a very tall building, and

death would come more swiftly from a lower

floor, I added, testing the sincerity of her mor-

bid proposition.

In any case, once you’ve jumped, it’s over. I

told her. There would be no turning back. I

would hope you keep your feet firmly planted

on the ground. Time goes on, I tried to assure

her. This situation plaguing you will surely pass.

And standing in front of a Japanese restaurant,

she asked me if I liked sushi? Raw fish, huh?

Never had it, I admitted, but I’m willing to try.

That was what it took that evening to motivate

her away from contemplating the ultimate and

final act. At dinner, a little Saki helped me to

allay the dubiety of eating uncooked fish.)

Years later, I have it on good word from others

who are still in contact with my old friend that

she is still alive. She has managed to make it

through some trying times as I suggested she

would. And I have often wondered how many

times it has taken since that day for her to sug-

gest, either for herself or another, to keep trying

something new on the menu.

Chris Hanch 3-1-19