Note to Myself No. 26

This is, I'm afraid, an aspirational message to myself.

I'll admit to gossiping, telling other peoples' stories and

passing judgment about their choices.

It's one of the things I like least about myself.

One of those shadow things.

When my mother-in-law died,

about the time my marriage was imploding,

one of the most remarkable consistencies in the

comments of those who knew her well

(I'm talking friends and colleagues here)

was that she never gossiped.

Didn't discuss other people

or say negative things about anyone.

Including her ex, who she just

 flat-out never discussed 

and believe me, she must have had a wealth

of buried material.

Instead, she kept things on a higher plane.

Isn't that a beautiful eulogy

to aspire to?