Yes, I ramble. I get off on tangents. I share details that seem important to me and bore my listeners, if I find one. And I have finally reached the point in my life where I notice when you lose interest, or stop listening. I share less, and think more instead. I tell myself to stop talking!!

I think of my mother and remember when this happened to her. I remember how much she would share about things she was interested in when we didn’t really listen. I also think she was much more interesting than me! I long to hear those things now. She love cultures and history and tried to share what she learned. She was smarter than we gave her credit for.

She was a great listener for me. I miss that. If I had a chance to ask her, I bet she would not feel like she was listened “to.” Who does listen to the listeners?

I think as listeners we set expectations too high when we need a listener and end up disappointed. Being a listener can be a lonely place.

Mom, I am sorry if I wasn’t a good listener for you. I am not sure I know how to be a good listener even though I try extremely hard to be a good listener, especially more so as I age.

Life certainly peals away as an onion exposing all our flaws and raw spots.