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What a Goofy Looking Kid
A sow’s ear
It was the mother of a neighborhood friend who told me that I was a goofy looking kid. I was seven or eight, but I don’t think I was hurt by her comment. I probably saw it as a point of information, perhaps even something good to know.
When I look back at photos of myself at that age, my impulse is to disagree, but being judged by an adult does tend to stick in a kids mind, especially when combined with casual taunts from other children.
Then I had to get thick eyeglasses and that pretty well sealed it for me: I was not a good-looking specimen and never would be. That was just a fact of my life. I accepted it and made no effort to change it. My hair was a mess (still is) and my clothing was mismatched and slovenly (and still is if my wife doesn’t interfere).
You can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear, I was told. I took careful notice of that.
It’s fascinating how an off-hand comment can stick so firmly. Even after all these years, when I look in the mirror, I sometimes see “goofy”.
And I laugh, because why not? After all, you can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear.
