This Is What Happens to People Who Live with Mediators
July 31, 2007 ·
We bought a new stove last week. It has a lot of electronic bells and whistles. Our old stove, ca. 1974 (I know, I know), could never have dreamed of such gadgetry.
The old stove’s timer emitted a honking blast of noise that just kept going until one of us ran into the kitchen, hands over our ears, to turn it off. The new stove’s timer beeps in a pretty little way when the time is up. If we don’t go in and press the keypad, it’ll beep again in about a minute. Makes sense…wouldn’t want to burn the dog biscuits because we missed one beep.
Last night, the timer beeped to signal our freshly picked, local, non-GMO corn on the cob was ready. We were talking and ignored it. So it beeped again. Rod, who hadn’t yet used the new timer, looked at me questioningly. Why is it beeping again? Didn’t it already go off?
Yes, I said, but you have to acknowledge it.
Rod walked into the kitchen and planted himself in front of the stove. In a very sweet voice he said, You are a very good stove. Thank you for all you’re doing to help us.
Copyright © 2007 by Tammy Lenski. All rights reserved.
Photo credit: Diego Meneghetti
That’s a hoot! As someone who has worked closely with mediators (and been through coaching training), I got a heck of a kick out of that
Perhaps you and Rod should start a blog chronicling the misadventures that happen when you live with a mediator? Thanks for sharing and good luck with your sensitive new stove.
It’s funny you should suggest that, Chris. I floated the idea with Rod about 3 months ago and he just looked at me strangely, as though I had a bad bug I should get over!
It’s good to hear from you…I hope all is well in your post-ACR world!
I hadn’t noticed this, but one of my readers, Stefanie, pointed out that the stove in the photo seems to have a slight smile. She’s right, it does! The new stove does seem to be much happier than the old one…