The Hardest Lesson

“The hardest-learned lesson: that people have only their kind of love to give, not our kind.”  Mignon McLaughlin

I don’t know if that is the “hardest-learned lesson,” but it damn sure ranks up there in the top five or so.  It occurs to me that much of my conflict and angst is generated by my expectation of the response I want, not the one the other has to give.  Somehow, what comes to mind here is that instance where I am due change from a cashier who, being out of or low on quarters, gives me five nickels in change.  Okay, it is not what I expected, not what I wanted (as if carrying the four additional coins is a burden), but I have not been short-changed.  I was given what the other had to give.  And it occurs to me how frustrated I get standing in front of a parking meter that wants change when I don’t have any to give.  I have bills, I have credit cards, but no change.

Okay, she may be right: “The hardest-learned lesson: that people have only their kind of love to give, not our kind.”