Vindication has this tendency of being sweet. Knowing that you can tell the world or even just one person "I told you so!" is an amazing emotional high even when basic manners restrain you from actually verbalizing those four words. Who needs Prozac, alcohol, or even chocolate when vindication has come aknockin on the door? Talk about endorphins?!!!
But lets be honest, when we have the chance to herald our "rightness," how often do we actually pass up the opportunity? Even when we attempt the near impossible exercise of restraint, our body language will inevitably give us away. Of course, that's no excuse for not at least trying to demonstrate a modicum of self-control. After all, pride is considered the deadliest of the seven deadly sins. Pause and contemplate-- is all that endorphinal-causing-rightness really worth possible eternal hellfire?
Warnings aside, vindication, like a good wine, gets so much tangier with age. A good "I told you so" will mature into a swagger exponentially more powerful if given a bit of time... say, 21+ odd years. Throw in multiple doses of ridicule over such a time period and... (need I really say any more?)
Imagine, if you will, a man, a self-professed sale-rat, insist that his very pregnant wife drop everything and proceed without delay to a closeout sale to purchase a heavy, thick, bulky coat in the midst of a warm California winter. True, the coat may never be worn, may be absolutely useless, but it's on sale. OCD kicks in. The man insists!
Following decades will see many wars waged against the Gestapo-Coat (as it is snidely called) in futile attempts to win back prime-closet space. OCD persists. The GC remains.
Many moons observe the tentative cease-fires and uneasy occupant/occupier relations, all too indicative of irreconciable attitudes and beliefs. The GC is no longer just a coat--it is undeniably a representation, a talisman, of a man's right to his own closet space.
Dad, smile! The GC has finally been worn and lovingly christened in a proper Glaswegian downpour. It is a great coat, warm and dry-- it was just in the wrong city! And all I can say is, thanks... thanks for keeping it... cuz I absolutely LOVE it.
Oh and yes, we know... you told us so!
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Your readers do deserve to see what aforementioned coat really looks like. Furry hood and all!! I dare you to include a photo!!
ReplyDeleteYour readers should also note that despite the speculation, there have been no "I told you so's" offerings from your dad. Just a smile of satissfaction knowing that the coat (purchased while you were still riding en utero) is being worn by his Rachel!
Oh, yes, I remember that story, and was wondering whether the coat's true life purpose has finally been realized!!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome writing, Rach!
High-five!! (Kazahk's accent).
For the sake of balance, I should indicate that JRP is a close friend of mine... and therefore any and all comments should be taken with the proverbial grain of salt.
ReplyDeleteNot that I'm complaining!!!!!
(btw... thanks)