by Mama Seay
My home is in Georgetown. My vocation is in the state Capitol. That is 30.5 miles of travel each way on one of the most congested freeways in the nation. Or, as I like to refer to it, an opportunity for a daily traffic survey. I have come to love my daily commute, as my vehicle often doubles as my prayer closet. This venue is to share some of the musings from my traffic surveys.
I pride myself on my communication skills – especially with my husband. After almost forty years of marriage we can now convey a point with a scowl and the arching of an eyebrow that once took three days of heated exchange to make.
Imagine my dismay last week when, after discussing picking up our granddaughter from school and meeting for dinner we both arrived at the restaurant with no granddaughter in tow. It did not help the situation that her daddy called at just the moment we were looking at each other and simultaneously saying, “Where is Hannah? I thought you were getting her.”
I immediately jumped in the car, raced to the school and was greeted with laughter and the comment, “You forgot me. Seriously?”
Her mother was not as forgiving and made sure we each received a text the next day reminding us that one of us should actually pick up the child.
The incident reminded me of a number of life lessons. First, communication has not occurred until both parties are sure of what is being conveyed. To our defense, we neither one forgot Hannah. We actually talked on the phone about her three times on the way to the restaurant. I thought Jerry understood what I was saying. I knew I did. My bad. The better approach would be to say, “So, you (or I) will walk in and get Hannah.” Then wait for an affirmative response.
Second, imagine all of the miscommunication that occurs during the day when two people who communicate well together on a high stakes subject like the grandchild (doesn’t get any higher) can have such an epic failure to communicate.
Third, I learned that Hannah is a very well adjusted, secure young lady with a great sense of humor. She had no problem with a laugh at Migi and Pop’s expense and shared the story with glee. I’m sure it won’t be the last time she laughs at us.
Finally, the incident drove home to me the reminder that often times your greatest strengths can be your weakness. We stress communication pretty regularly. I remind new employees that communication has not occurred until they understand what is being asked of them. The best way to ensure communication is to clarify until you are sure of what is being said.
Knowing all that – even teaching all that did not stop the miscommunication from happening. Hence the reminder that pride goes before a fall.
