Growing skin...

I was recently insulted. And in such a way that I'm not entirely sure it was intentional. So I decided to ignore it at the moment and chewed over it as the day wore on.

I hold a different world view than most I come in contact with on a daily basis. I find I never really fit into one category or another--whether it's in my parenting style, my political opinions, my views on pop culture or the disintegration/degeneration (or lack of there of) of youth and country.

I tend to keep my mouth shut a lot as well. At least around those I don't feel at ease around--which is just about everyone. Those not in the tiny circle of Trusted, Cherished Friend simply see what's on the outside. A smallish, white woman with two small children. Some realize that my husband is in law enforcement--but only if they also know him. That's not information I volunteer to strangers. If they listen to me speak for any length of time they may catch an odd accent they can't quite place, but few pay attention to little details like that. If they listen any more they may hear odd words thrown in when I talk with my children.

Humans are funny. We filter everything we see and hear through our own worldview and culture. I don't really fit in anywhere. Except in that tiny circle of Friends. I'm okay with that. To thine own self be true and all that. For a while there I forgot. Fortunately I remembered just in time.

So tonight, as I chew over what was said and what was implied, I realize that this person doesn't really know me or anything about me really. What is seen and read is viewed through her own filter. I'm thankful for the delete button on emails--a response was written but not sent.

I think I can actually feel my skin thickening up.