You can’t let a little bit out
Life lessons. Some you learn the hard way.
There are some lessons that it seems ‘almost’ everyone knows, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out how they learned them. I suppose my entire life has been a series of awkward moments where you could hear crickets chirping. I SO wish I had theCRICKETtoy® when I was younger.
My wife retold this story (with my permission) at a couple’s retreat for our church, so I’m pretty sure it’s been retold numerous times now. I thought I would share this with you in hopes that you might use my life lesson and not have to experience this yourself.
Freshman year of college. I’m a heavy drinker. What I mean is that I would drink 5-7 cokes with each meal (yes..I know this is NOT good now). After supper out with friends, I stop by a local card store to buy a birthday card. As I’m walking around the store, I realize I REALLY need to go to the bathroom. I quickly pick a card and go to cash register. There is only one person in front of me. I really have to go now. They take forever. It’s really beginning to hurt and it’s my turn to check out. The pain and the pressure are almost unbearable. What am I going to do? I don’t see a bathroom and I know won’t make it home.
“I wonder if I could just let a little bit out to relieve the pressure.”
I make a judgment call.
It is as if I blew a hole in the Hoover Dam. The lady at the cash register (of COURSE it’s a woman) asks , “Would you like anything else?” “No thank you”. I can’t turn off the valve. To me, it is so loud as it pours down my leg into my shoe and makes a puddle on the floor. I am sure she hears it, but I can’t make it stop. I quickly pay and leave the store. I drive home leaning on my right side as the left side of my jeans, sock and shoe are soaked. I get home, walk in the garage, shut the door and throw away my shoe, jeans, socks and drawers. I never (obviously) went into the store again. It’s closed now (no connection).
As you’re possibly reading this thinking “No normal sane person would EVER do this,” just know I am not alone in this scenario. Possibly the toughest, fiercest comic book character in the world, Wolverine, had a similar story happen to him. I figure if Hugh Jackman tells his story in print AND on video, then mine’s ok to share. I’ve only got 20 readers anyway(probably 3 after this).
So if the situation ever arises and you are wondering the same thing I did, please learn from my experience.
You can’t let a little bit out.