Have you ever felt invisible?
I have. Often. More than I’d like.
Sometimes it’s at the grocery store, the mall, and even at church.
I see someone I know and start to approach them and then…
Nothing. It’s like they see right through me. They don’t know me at all.
This is doing nothing for my self-esteem.
At first I thought it was me. Maybe I had dis-prosopagnosia.
Prosopagnosia is a condition where you can’t recognize faces.
Maybe I have the opposite of that – I recognize every face as someone familiar…when really I’ve never met them before.
I see a person at a distance and they look so familiar. Surely, that’s Jane from the baseball field or Bill from church. But when I get closer they give me a look that says, why is that strange lady looking at me? Which is then followed by the look that says, why is that strange lady approaching me?
Or maybe I don’t have a condition at all. Maybe people are more self-absorbed or so busy these days that they don’t notice others (and by others I mean me). The problem clearly lies with them.
Today I was checking out at the grocery store. A woman walked up beside me with her teenage son. As I was sliding my credit card, I looked out the corner of my eye and I could tell I knew her.
What to do…
I could say hello – that’s the friendly thing to do.
I could ignore her – she might think I’m a snob.
I take the risk.
I turn and say, “Hey, it’s good to see you.”
She gives me that look (the one I am becoming all too familiar with) and then she gives me a hesitant, “Hey”.
Then her son turns to her and says, “Who’s that?”
And I hear her say, “I have no idea.”
Really! I am standing right here! I CAN HEAR YOU!
Is the world completely void of all manners? Even I would have pretended to know who I was.
You know what I mean.
Maybe I just need a pair of glasses.
Because I’m feeling depressed – a result of my deflated ego – tonight’s dessert will be what’s left of the Halloween candy that I bought way too early.
Rats! That means I have to go back to the grocery store!
Have you ever felt invisible? What’s your favorite Halloween candy? Leave a comment and let me know.
I pray for invisibility (is that even a word?) daily, but NO…my problem is quite the opposite. I find myself praying before trips to the store, bank, especially WALMART…Lord, PLEASE don’t let me see anyone I know. Well, the answer so far has been “NOPE”.
Favorite Halloween candy…Peanut M&Ms.
Thanks Peggy! I can always count on you to show me a fresh perspective. I can imagine as a 4th grade teacher you prayed for anonymity. You’re absolutely right – there are times when not being noticed is a good thing. I honestly don’t like it when people I know stop to talk at the grocery store. I’m afraid they’ll look to see what I have in my cart. They’d see quite a few Little Debbie snack treats and several bags of Cheetos. Here’s to hoping there are lots of Peanut M&Ms in your near future!
My favorite fall treat is a carmel apple dipped in nuts. Glad to be able to get them at the grocery now!
We also enjoy making s’mores with our neighbors in the cul-de-sac on Halloween and sharing them with the trick or treaters! Yum!
I’m coming to your house this Halloween!