Toddlers ask questions.
Does the Easter Bunny go to Africa?
Why do my bones make me naughty?
Why can’t I say butthole?
Teenagers know it all so they rarely ask questions.
Young adults ask when they must - usually because a task is assigned.
What is needed to complete a resume?
How do I file my taxes?
When should the oil in my car be changed?
In old age, I have reached a new stage of life, I find myself asking questions to understand. When I heard myself being critical of new trends and beliefs, I remembered when I would look at my parents and shrug my shoulders because they didn’t accept change in the world - something I swore would never happen to me.
Then I found myself shaking my head when my granddaughter wore jeans with more holes than solid fabric. I cringed hearing the use of words that were once forbidden. I refused to watch reality TV that did not reflect anything real in my life. I found myself not understanding the why to many events in my world and I didn’t want to start sounding like my parents. More importantly, I didn’t want anyone to say to me, “You don’t understand.”
These three words, “You don’t understand,” make my blood pressure spike creating a need to find a release valve. This phrase makes me feel old and like it is time I fade into the background. With age and wisdom, I have started asking more questions. I think I might sound like a toddler; maybe I have regressed; maybe I am getting wiser.
When I watched the Emmy’s, I repeatedly asked, “Is that a man or woman?” I imagine it doesn’t matter but I wanted to know?
When my daughter said, “That’s bussin’,” I saw no bus near us so I asked what that means. I learned a new word.
Bussin’adjective. Great; wonderful; amazing.
When The Weekend performed at the Superbowl on a Sunday, I asked repeatedly for the name of that guy singing. When I was told, The Weekend, I thought they misunderstood my question and responded by say, “I know it is Sunday, but who is singing at halftime?”
When I had to ask, “What is wrong with that giraffe?” The magic of AI was explained.
I want to understand. I need to understand. I don’t want to grow old and become irrelevant and outdated so I ask questions.