An Unfortunate Misunderstanding

A common prompt for online discussion is, “What’s your most embarrassing moment?”

I’m sure I’ve had many, but I wouldn’t really know how to answer that question.

Until now.

I hadn’t told anyone here at Ye Olde Folks Home about my mother’s recent passing, except I think I did mention it to one woman at dinner.

Yeah, right. What do you think happened next?

Everyone knows.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that; I’m just amazed at how efficient the grapevine is around here.

I kept getting approached by myriad women who had heard the news and wanted to express their sympathy. “So sorry to hear of your mother,” they’d say, then open their arms wide for a hug.

I’m not much of a hugger, but it’s a sweet gesture. Sure, let’s do this.

This morning at church a treasured family friend, who happens to also be one of the ushers, greeted me as I sat down.

“Do you have a communion cup?” Oh, it’s Communion Sunday? No, I didn’t get one; thank you.

After communion, she came around to collect the empty cups. She held her arms wide and said, “Right here.”

Oh, I guess she read about my mom on Facebook? Okay, sure, let’s do this.

Wrong.

“No. Right here.”

She was using one arm to reach around me where someone was trying to hand in their own empty cup.

I stopped myself just in time, but it was obvious by the stifled giggles around me that my misunderstanding had not gone unnoticed.

Yes, if that had been her intent, she would have done that the first time she came by. That just now occurred to me.

I sat down after she left and involuntarily clapped my hands to my face in the famous “Home Alone” gesture, as I reddened in embarrassment.

Right, just kill me now.

Well, I always say: if you can’t laugh at yourself, someone will do it for you, and you won’t enjoy it nearly as much.

I looked when I got home and no, neither she nor her husband are friends of mine on Facebook, although I would not mind that.