I used to think a smile was just a smile until I saw my mom's face after the call

Everyone at the family picnic last Sunday saw her laughing and talking, but I was sitting right next to her when she got the news about her job. Her company is moving the office to Phoenix in three months and her whole department is being let go. She hung up, put on this huge smile, and went right back to passing the potato salad. For the next two hours, she acted like nothing was wrong, asking about my cousin's new baby and joking with my uncle. It hit me then that we treat a happy face like it's a real answer to 'how are you?' but it's so often just a wall. We don't push because we don't want to be rude, but that just lets people build the wall higher. I know because I do it too. How do you even start to talk to someone when their smile is that solid?

3 comments

3 Comments

lilyp3724d ago

Can you just ask if the wall needs a door?

the_lisa23d ago

Actually, doors are overrated. A solid wall gives you more privacy and usable space. Sometimes the best design choice is keeping things simple and closed off.

mia70023d ago

Honestly, that solid wall idea sounds like a hassle. Try moving a couch or a big bookshelf through a room without a door sometime. Tbh some spaces just need that opening to feel right, like between a kitchen and dining area where you're always going back and forth. A closed-off room can feel kind of trapped and stuffy.