The Sound of Silence
It was probably back in 2004 or 2005 that I took two groups of young adults at St. James's, Cambridge, MA out to dinner in Boston's North End. The young adults were those who were graduating from High School that year, and those who were already away at College but were home for the summer break. I ate with two groups on two separate evenings to accommodate the various schedules of these fabulous young adults. As it happened, at the first dinner I was seated next to graduating High School Senior Joe H at the first dinner. If Calvin Coolidge was "silent Cal", Joe H was "silent, silent Joe". In due course Joe H spoke to me. He said "I bet you wish that you were not sitting next to me, because I rarely talk". I responded with "I am so happy to be seated next to you, for you have the gift of listening unlike people like I who are always talking". I meant it. As a talker I am in awe of the listeners. ----------------------