So, I am sorry, but I need a minute on the soapbox. Usually I try to keep these kind of rants between myself, and either my husband or my best friend, but in this case I feel I need to share with you the public not only to get it off my chest, but maybe, just maybe to help inform and therefore keep some other unsuspecting person from being as thoroughly insulted as I was.

Now, I understand that for the most part, we live in a caring community and have people around us who care about our general well being. Granted, the guy in the cube next to you, isn’t up nights wondering if you are happy or not, but he will notice when you have the flu, and express some sort of concern. This is a nice and neighborly thing to do. HOWEVER, the WAY said concern is expressed makes all the difference in the world.

For example, two Thursday’s ago; I began to not feel so well. I had a bit of a scratchy throat. As the days went on, I got worse. I went from scratchy throat, to sore on one side, to sore on both sides, to ear pain and a mild fever.

Now, because I am a schoolteacher and cannot afford to take a sick day every time I have a little bug, I immediately began to self medicate with Nyquil. By the end of the weekend, I was feeling better, well enough to go to work. Yes, I was tired, and yes I didn’t feel up to my usual sunny self. However, the last thing I needed was some “caring” person, to tell me how awful I looked.

I was “cared for” multiple times between Monday and Wednesday.

I was informed that I looked awful, must have a fever, looked terrible, and something is wrong.

WAIT! This all happened on Wednesday. Which was the day I was feeling better. So much better in fact that I had mistakenly told myself that morning I must have kicked the bug, and that I was better.

I guess I don’t spend enough time in front of the mirror.  That or I have somehow become hideous without knowing.

Now upon reflection, I can fully admit that I too, in the past have approached a friend/family member/co-worker and expressed concern for their well being in the form of. “ Are you alright, you look____ (insert negative descriptive word) “

Well NO MORE MY FRIENDS! Having suffered this type of “caring” to the point of near tears, I will now make sure that I stand out, and instead of assuming a person is ill, upset, sad, tired etc.

I will show my outpouring of love, by starting with “ hey, how are you feeling?” then the person I care about can feel free to tell me themselves that they are feeling….. (Insert descriptive words here)