The mental manual you were given at birth has
expanded greatly over time:
Chapter One, Preverbal—React to pleasure and
pain so that someone able can tend to your needs.
Eat, sleep, pamper and clean, know when you are
content or unattended. Coo or cry appropriately.
Chapter Two—Act instinctively. Roll over,
move your hands and feet, do all the bodily
functions which come naturally.
Chapter Three—bond with someone on
whom you can depend. The words are
not yet there, but you are learning about
attention, security and care.
Chapter Four—In the interest of time and
space lets move on past the stages of crawling,
toddling and first words spoken (Mama, Papa),
first words heard and understood (stop, no,
nam-nam).
As you go along, you’re learning about love,
happiness, hate and displeasure.
You are learning words to express your feelings
and needs. Next comes your ABCs, spelling,
definitions and memorization—cat, dog, duck,
apple, pear, banana, tree, flower, bee.
You still have a long way to go, There will be
assignments and tests given. You become aware
of rudimentary meanings of love and hate. You
have a desire and appetite to learn.
Years pass; you have a grasp of life and death,
emotions and control. Your brain is packed
with information you have garnered over time.
You excel, yet still screw up now and again.
You never acquired a taste for beets and broccoli.
You hate the New England Patriots, Speedo swim
wear and snakes. Your last vote for President was
a looser and as you predicted, the winner turned
out to be a huge mistake.
You don’t trust red haired woman. You were
married to one once and that didn’t work out
well. You are now 73 years old going on 74,
and couldn’t care less about learning more.
The Chief’s game on Sunday has been post-
poned due to the opposing team’s quarterback
testing positive for Covid-19. And you are
royally pissed.
Enough is enough. The notion of having to do
all of this over again makes you woozy and ill
enough to puke.
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Chris Hanch 10-4-2020
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