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I immediately scowled at my wife and demanded, "What number did you dial?"
"I dialed
number you gave me," she said rather flippantly.
"Okay," I quipped, "listen to this."
I handed telephone back to her and watched her eyes explode and her mouth drop open. She quickly gave it back to me, but I didn't want it either.
Inadvertently, she had dialed some phone sex number. We both went to restroom to wash out our ears.
Another category, omission. This is where I get into a lot of trouble with my wife. It is not that I'm negligent but I do have odd moment where certain bits of information are temporarily obscure from any immediate recall. Like when I go to grocery store for my wife and get everything but what she sent me for in first place.
How this happens befoggles my mind.
Misunderstanding represents another category. I really do not understand this one. I have been accused of misunderstanding some very simple instructions from You Know Who.
I sincerely miss my understanding but for now, I'll simply overlook it.
Blunder is still another category of mistakes. In this group, mistake is rather innocent. It might be a result of some tiny oversight. After all, nobody can see and remember everything.
If there were awards for blunders, I would have a shelf full of trophies.
The list can go on and on. However, my experience as a card-carrying member of POP Culture brings me to conclusion that quintessential mistake is faux pas. If anyone knows about mistakes, it is French. Just saying it gives one feeling of something tremendously special.
A faux pas is simply a mistake in a tuxedo.
A faux pas can cover any and all mistakes. A simple procedure is associated with this. When you realize that you've just committed a faux pas, place three fingers from your right hand, never your left and never four fingers although two will work fine, across your mouth while extending your pinky. Then giggle and say, "Oh, pardon my faux pas." Then roll your eyes upward.
This is most useful when in heavy traffic and you've just cut in front of another driver. Your faux pas gesture will be immediately acknowledged by driver in car extending a solitary digit upwards. This is merely a friendly gesture recognizing your faux pas.
Of course, superb response to every mistake is found in Bible. "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16 KJV.)
As someone once said, "confession is good for soul." Do a little soul-work this week.
Rev. James L. Snyder is an award winning author and popular columnist living in Ocala, FL with his wife Martha. Snyder has written 9 books.
