Concepts That Remind Us Of Our Frailty (Part 1)

If you’re human, there’s a high chance that you forget things on a regular basis — you forget birthdays, to pay some bill, to make a call, reply a message or keep some promises you’ve made. I love forgetfulness because it’s another concept that reminds us that we aren’t enough and that the best of us are still humans.

The downside of forgetfulness is that it can sting in two directions; the ‘forgetter’ and the forgotten would carry the burden of forgiveness. Imagine a wife forgetting her husband’s birthday or a single father forgetting his son’s big day at school — of course they can both blame it on work and life pressure and they would be right.

The husband probably woke up in the morning expecting extra doting, care, attention and a heightened dose of TLC and he doesn’t raise an alarm in the morning if the wife went about her business.

“Maybe she’s planning a surprise party.”

“Maybe it’s a private dinner.”

“Maybe she’ll come surprise me at work.”

“Maybe this or that”

The last resort is always “Maybe she forgot.” and if he thinks and broods on this; it’s going to take a lot of work salvaging his day.

If the wife were asked to recount the story, this isn’t the way she’ll tell her.

Her story would sound more like this:

“It was an hectic day the previous day. My team is working on a new product campaign and all hands are to be on deck until it’s launched. Even though I didn’t have to worry about the kids and the dog because my husband is the best in the world, I still was as tired as I could be. I slept off while working on my computer; I’m sure it was my husband who packed up after me and made sure I slept comfortably. In the morning, all I could think about was the deck that was due at 10am. I hurriedly planted kisses on my boys cheeks and left the house. I worked my butt off from 7 till 10am to make sure the deck was perfect. I thought it was over until the Project Manger called for an impromptu meeting at lunch, I couldn’t grab lunch again. This was the third time in a row. It was hectic from lunch time till close of business; I mean ‘official COB’. On the ride home, I had to drop by the grocery shop because I’d promised to go last week but I couldn’t. I had to make a quick list when the notification started trooping in. Someone tagged me on a Facebook post. It was my husband’s birthday.”

Now both are hurt and both also have to forgive to move past that pain of forgetfulness. The husband has to forgive his wife and allow her celebrate him with the quickest plans she could make and the wife has to remind herself that it’s human to forget.