Aliens & Being Anti-Social

I am the recipient of an overwhelming amount of kindness: my family, fiancée, friends, strangers are constantly going above and beyond what I could have ever imagined. At this point in life, I would expectedly be less surprised when people are charitable. Despite the truly millions of instances of kindness I have received, I continue to be deeply humbled by others. You will hear plenty of stories of altruistic heroes who risk life and limb to save another being. Those stories should undoubtedly be told and re-told. Yet, it is rare to see a publicized story about a selfless father who gives absolutely every ounce of himself to his two (sometimes difficult) daughters and lovely wife. Or a co-worker who brightens everyone’s day with a friendly hello and a far too frequent treat. Or a man who waded into a river to retrieve a stranger’s Frisbee. These instances of selflessness might not receive publicity, but they unfailing leave an impressive mark on my heart. To think on all I have been given by the loving hand of another brings me to tears.

I fail, as some often do, to be as appreciative to those who show me the most kindness. Let’s start with my friends who I never talk to. I am absolutely awful at talking on the phone/texting/emailing/facebook-ing-you name it. Growing up, my parents were severely concerned with my social life. They would “casually” walk into my room where I would be playing with my imaginary friends or reading and suggest I go knock on so and so’s door to see if he/she could play. I would suddenly have a stomachache/ headache/ hemorrhaging limb that would prevent me from knocking on so and so’s door. They would get frustrated at my refusal to be a normal child and threaten to ground me if I didn’t go play outside. I would pretend to be distraught at this unjust punishment and become unruly and difficult. They would deliver the line, “Fine. You’re grounded young lady!” To which I would pretend to cry about and then gleefully pump my fists in the air in triumph as they exited my room. Gotcha parents! Now back to my imaginary friend time. When I got older, it was still a battle to be social. At school, it was wonderfully convenient to be social. It didn’t require effort to ask someone to eat lunch with you. Potential after school social gatherings were limited due to cross or mounds of homework. I liked doing things with people as long as it didn’t require any planning effort on my end. Back in the day, when the weekend rolled around my parents were back to the same worry of “What to do with our Anti-Social Daughter”. Conversations would go a bit like this.

L: Mom, Mom, MOM! Guess who just finished all their homework?! (commence victory dance around the kitchen table)

Mom: That’s great honey! Do you have any plans for this weekend?

L: Nope!

Mom: You should call ______and see if they want to do something.

L: Um, they are probably busy

Mom: Did you call them?

L: No. But I bet they are.

Mom: It never hurts to ask.

L: Except for it does. I am pretty sure aliens are tapping my phone and trying to steal secrets about earth life. Mom, do you really want me to put my friends’ lives in danger of an alien abduction?

Mom: (Looking heavenward and attempting to inhale deeply whilst mentally trying to tally up the number of times I landed on my head as an infant) Fine. You’re dad and I are going out and your sister is painting the town red with her friends numbering the population of Lichtenstein.

My poor parents. They are two individuals I will never be able to show enough appreciation for. My younger sister either (who is currently staying at Buckingham Palace trying to persuade the Royals to grant her land for her and her ever growing population of friends to occupy. Lichtenstein will no longer house her large number of admirers). In conclusion, my current friends are always shorted by my terror of picking up a phone. I love them though. A lot.