It's not just about hearing

At the beginning of the new year, I made a wish list of things I wanted to do this year--dieting was not on the list! Inspired by my niece, Tracy, I promised myself I would call or contact friends from the past. So for January, I called a dear, dear friend, Erna, from long ago. Erna & I worked together at the bank in Redfield in the early 70's--at that time I was a newlywed and she was a grandma. In spite of the difference in our ages, we got along famously and often hurried through the work day so we could enjoy Happy Hour at the tavern next door to the bank. We continued to keep in touch over the years, and from time to time I would even swing by her house for a "cold one" as she called it. Unfortunately, we lost touch in the past few years except for the annual Christmas card.

My phone call was answered by Erna's husband. Unfortunately, he could not hear me even the third time I shouted my name and greetings into the telephone. He offered the phone to his wife, and I repeated my greeting. After several more LOUD attempts to identify myself, she knew who I was. Although we really could not carry on much of a conversation (I offered to take her out for lunch--she responded "yes, we get lunch here"); the message was clear. After a few futile attempts to talk, Erna reminisced--"we had some great times didn't we?". Yes, we did--I smiled as I said good bye. Memories are forever.

Talking Points

I had a light bulb moment the other day, that I have pondered regularly ever since. I work with another social worker named, Cathy. Recently we have been working together on a case which requires that we catch up by telephone regularly. We always announce our names when we call--"Cathy, this is Kim". As I hung up thought about the number of times my twin sister, Kathy, and I talk by telephone and how very much different our greetings are. Kathy tends to leave her cell phone in the car or her purse when she is shopping, lunching whatever. So whenever she answers I always ask "Kathy, where are you?" If she answers "Kim" before I get to speak I know that she is busy and I quickly say to call me later. When I call the house, she chimes "Kim" when I question "Kathy?". Now I know it is her, but her response generally tells me if she is busy or able to talk. If she doesn't chime "Kim" I deduce that she is busy and only has a minute. I imagine she determines my availability from my tone as well. The experts say that baby twins have their own language--I don't know if that is true; but as adults we certainly have developed our own form of communication. Not sure why I felt a need to write that down!