A couple of weekends ago my husband and I returned from the movies, and I took his sunglasses out of my purse and put them on the dining table.
I put them on the dining table.
Later that afternoon he asked where his glasses were.
They’re on the table, right where I put them.
Except… they weren’t.
.
It may or may not be important to note that we were in an argument when I put the glasses on the table, and when he asked me where they were, and when I told him where they were, and when he couldn’t find them.
It may be important because when we argue, his favorite thing to do is straighten up the house; specifically, clean off the dining table.
Which led me to believe that he, in a mad straightening frenzy, moved the glasses that I had put on the table.
.
A week went by (thank goodness the argument lasted only the afternoon) and he still could not find his glasses.
We questioned one another:
Are you sure you put the glasses on the table?
To which I answered emphatically, Yes!
And I remembered it so clearly in part because of the argument (I’m going to put these mother-lovin glasses on the table so you don’t have to ask me for them).
Are you sure you didn’t move them off the table when you were straightening?
He said No and I didn’t believe him because I was right.
.
Here’s the point of the story:
The glasses were in the car.
THE CAR.
Not on the table.
Now, I am not up in arms about being wrong. Truly, I’m often wrong and, contrary to how it might seem here, totally fine with it.
What I can’t get past is how clearly in my mind I remember taking the glasses out of my purse and putting them on the table. I would have bet money I don’t have. It wasn’t a maybe or I think I did — no, I can see it as distinctly as these words on the page.
And it strikes me… how have convinced myself? What stories do I believe? What other things do I think happened one way or at all that… didn’t?
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
The first thing that comes to my mind reading this is…
I wonder if Ron has an earth moon…? (straightening the house when he’s in reaction)
Someday I’ll have to do his chart. ;)
Love this post, btw! xoxoxo
i’d LOVE to have you do his chart!!! (it might explain so much:P)
Email me his info :)
Do you do charts, Keleigh?…..diane
I do! My email is keleighf at gmail if you’re interested. :)
I love the way you think!
Michelle, are you sure you’re not living MY marriage? LOL
Hoo boy. Frightening, how much we can all relate, I’m sure.
I’ve had a few instances like this one, where I vividly remember something that didn’t happen. Scary what thoughts the mind creates.
What a wonderful teaching story, Michelle. Yikes! I am going to be thinking of you every time I tell myself (and my husband) this kind of story. Thank you!
I dunno. I wonder if Ron cleaned them up and put them out in the car. LOL Yeah, I noticed this sureness of thought and memory getting worse as I get older too. Yikes…we’re not even that old yet.