Spooky Tie o’ the Day and I give you an up-close peek at my scar’s current state of being. People who know I had my mid-summer surgery often ask to see my resulting scar– and not just family or super-close friends. I’m fine with showing anybody how it’s doing. But I find it so interesting that they want to see the thing, and that they dare ask to gaze upon it.
And it’s not like folks want to see it just once. They ask to see it all the time, which is exactly why I’ve posted photos of it occasionally. Apparently, people want to inspect it in all of its various stages of healing. They have no hesitation about asking to see a part of my body I would never otherwise show to the masses. I’ve thought about maybe cutting a hole in each of my shirts where the scar would be visible, so people could look at it without having to ask if they can see it. They wouldn’t have to talk to me at all in order to be able to behold it. They might even prefer seeing it without having to converse with me.
Sometimes people ask if they can touch my scar. Go for it, I tell ’em. It all reminds me of how people dare ask to feel the belly of a visibly pregnant woman they know. There are very few situations in our culture in which it is acceptable to ask to see or touch people’s body parts. And, of course, that’s generally a good thing.
As I said, I’m happy to show my scar to those who are curious to see it. And if they want to touch it, more power to ’em. I’d like to say that I won’t pull up my shirt to anyone while I’m in a church, but I did do that a number of times in the Oak City church at my Aunt Arlene’s funeral. I probably wouldn’t do it in Sacrament Meeting though– unless someone incredibly important to me asked to see and/or touch it. What can I say? I aim to please.
BTW I’m making a list o’ possible names for my scar. Feel free to offer suggestions. TIE O’ THE DAY hasn’t had a contest for months, so if I end up choosing one of the names you suggest, you will be the winner of a Christmas-themed bow tie. (Max J. Tucker, you are disqualified from entering this contest, and you know exactly why.)