I guess it runs in the family.....

I mentioned in one of my six word memoirs that I hate surprises. It is quite possible that this is genetic, as both OlderNiece L. and my sister M. seem to also have a very low tolerance for surprises:

SETTING: Every single Christmas. Ever.

My sister M: [Looking at all of the presents under the tree] Is that the gift that you got for me?

Me: Yes.

M: What is it?

Me: You'll just have to wait and see.

M: Nooo! Tell me! What is it? What is it? Whatisitwhatisitwhatisit????????

Me: Dude! You'll have to wait until Christmas!

M: Can you give me a hint? Tell me! Tell me! Tellmetellmetellme!!!!!!

Me: Sigh. [Tells M. what her present is].

**********************************************************************************

SETTING: Every single phone conversation with OlderNiece L.

Me: Are you being a good girl?

L: Yes. Baba?

Me: Yes?

L: Did you send me a present from your last trip?

Me: Why, yes I did!

L: What is it?

Me: You'll just have to wait and see!

L: Is it big? Is it pink? Is it a [insert random present guess here]?

Me: You'll just have to wait and see!

L: Baba?

Me: Yes?

L: I love you.

Me: I love you too, Peanut!

L: [pauses] Baba?

Me: Yes?

L: NOW can you tell me what the present is?

Me: Sigh. [Tells L. what the present is].

****************************************************************************

SETTING: Bangkok, Thailand. My condo.

Peter: OK, baby. I'm going to run down and check my e-mail. I have some surprises for you that I'll give you when I come back up, so make sure that you don't snoop around.

Me: What is it? What are the surprises? What did you get me? Whatisitwhatisitwhatisit? Tellmetellmetellmetellme!!!!!!!!!!!

Peter:.................................are you five??

I think Peter will cure me of my dislike of surprises (the good ones, at least) because the ones that he has for me are always so wonderful (btw, he brought me some paintings and a musical instrument from Cambodia). Plus, he doesn't cave in after constant pestering :)

Now, I speak only for myself when I say this (not for my sister or niece), but while I would like to say that my dislike of (good) surprises is just due to a lack of patience, the fact of the matter is that surprises make me slightly uncomfortable. I think there's a part of me that thinks I don't deserve them, and I'm always afraid of giving too strong or weak of a reaction (being an inadequate "surprisee," if you will), and thereby hurting the feelings of the "surpriser."

This is just one of the things that I am working on as this year, and I feel so grateful that I have this space and time to just look inward, make some minor repairs, and grow.

So, um, keep the surprises a comin'. They help me grow!!