Yes, I am a small child, but so I love the way Pooh interacts with the narrator and with the words of the text. Words are precious to me. By extension, sharing good conversation with words from multiple parties is even more precious. On Sunday I woke up at 6 a. For sake of Tinder Buttons, let us call him Leo.
It was one of those conversations where there was a balance of talking and listening, questions and reassurances. Secrets and perceived shortcomings in ourselves tumbled out of our mouths. We processed, we explained, we told stories. I found myself speaking of my struggles and embarrassments with no hesitation. For all our enthusiasm to talk to each other, we constantly apologized to each other for our veering to a tangential topic.
Denying someone else their words by diverting the topic feels bizarre and rude, especially when coupled with our Southern manners. Good conversation wanders. It listens intently and builds, and sometimes that means a timely interruption.
It has no agenda and no end goal in mind. Hunny has no start, no end; it sticks and flows and maintains its sweetness in each mouth. This was a hunny conversation. And sometimes good conversation pauses. I am a big believer in the idea that the best friendships and relationships contain companionable silences.
The word lapse suggests a breaking down or a delay, when this is anything but. Silence builds. It is intimate and sweet and still. It contains the long glances, the reassuring smiles.
