Deb: Colin and I attended a seminar on Saturday to better inform
us of my Dad’s medical issues. It was two-and-a-half hours of information. It
was fabulous and it transformed me. I thought I had a good handle on things,
but this class just upped my game and reminded-slash-taught me that there is
always more to learn and more to conquer.
We left the seminar after signing up together for three more
seminars on different but related subjects. It empowered us and humbled us and
delivered to us good solid usable skills.
But here is the funny part. For some reason the gal who was
running the seminar (beautifully and casually, I might add) kind of picked me
out as teacher’s pet. And I do confess that I did contribute when asked, but so
did many others. Oh God, it was embarrassing. I was just trying to share my
concerns and experiences as were others, but she just, you know ... took to me!
At one point—I kid you not—she said, “Deb, you should be up here teaching this!” Deb. She called me Deb. I felt like a plant in the audience. I grabbed my
husband’s leg and turned crimson and from the very back seat in the room
muttered, “Oh, I ... just, oh no, dear God, no ... I’m just here like everyone
trying to ... oh dear.”
And then I realized. I WAS MONICA! For those who don’t already
know who I mean: Monica from Friends.
But I swear to you, I was NOT being a know-it-all, I was just contributing. But
teacher promoted me on my first class!
Int. Classroom Setting:
Monica is sitting at a desk frantically waving her hand.
MONICA
Oh, I know!!! I know!!! I know!!!!
TEACHER
(exasperated)
Monica, you ASKED the question.
Barbara: Was it a classic teacher’s pet thing where all the other
kids hated you for it, or did they love you as much as Teacher for being so
forthright and thoughtful and for covering so many important questions? Because
I, for one, would totally, openly and gratefully love someone like you in my
medical information classes—it’s the bane of my existence that I only think of
the relevant questions AFTER the classes (or doctor’s appointments or seminars,
etc). You would have been like a human crib sheet for someone like me!
