One of the most remarkable features of the human body, for me anyway, is the ear. It’s intricate design both on the outside and on the inside is intriguing. No two ears, including the ones on your own head are exactly the same. Some people decorate their ears to extend their personality to the outside of their body, some leave them plain, sort of an individualistic fashion statement. Me, mine are pierced and I do wear earrings that for the most part, reflect my mood. I’ll also wear earrings to provoke a reaction, it’s subtle due to the length and style of my hair, but my choice of earrings is intentional.
The main purpose of an ear is to hear. I think if I had to give up one of my 5 senses I would sacrifice my sense of smell just to keep the audio. There is something soothing on a primal level when you hear a loved one’s whisper, something engaging when you hear a friend’s laugh and more primal when you hear someone weep. Hearing someone’s voice when you can’t actually see them does not diminish the connection no matter how much static is on the line. Not everything on planet earth needs to be smelled so yup, the sense of smell I would miss the least.
There is however a down side to being audio gifted. If you have exceptional hearing people seldom appreciate that they aren’t quite far enough from you when they say something that they don’t want you to hear. Exceptional hearing is a gift but like most gifts sometimes the tape on the paper sticks and not in a good way. There is a constant struggle for audio comfort when only one person in a marriage has a “good” ear but it’s like the struggle to get the car seat positioned right, there is a middle ground somewhere. Finding the middle ground is just part of the fun of compromise.
Another down side to the ear is people will sometimes bend it excessively. I had a picture of a Basset Hound’s ear pop into my head when, for the third time in a row I had the exact same conversation with the exact same person. I started to think is this live or is it Memorex? I understand that sometimes people just want someone to sit quietly and listen to them, vent if you will, venting is a necessary activity to maintain one’s sanity. My issue is with people who over and over and over again regurgitate the same thoughts like the needle is stuck in their record. I seldom, or try not to, offer my 3 cents worth unless and until I hear those 4 open sesame words, “what do you think”?
Seriously, much like asking someone “how are you” if you’re not really interested in the answer why bother to ask the question? I don’t see the point of asking someone what they would do if you’re going to continue to do it your way. It’s like constantly asking different people the same question hoping to finally find someone who comes up with the answer you wanted to hear in the first place. Why bother? If you don’t want my answer, don’t ask me the question, buzz off and pester someone else who will parrot what you want to hear. If my ear is continually bent in the same direction with the same lament it will begin to flop over, much like a Basset Hound’s and eventually I won’t even be able to hear your stuck in a rut whine anymore. Maybe that’s a good thing!
