Prickly

"My dear, we have more red wine". The waiter leaned in over my shoulder and let me know that the bar had been restocked. I had asked for wine earlier and he had announced that there was none left in the bar that the company had provided for our end of conference dinner. I wasn't in a beer mood any more and so asked for a g&t which caused much kerfuffle. Apparently it wasn't included in the original deal with the hotel.

A few years ago anyone who had called me 'my dear' would have got a swift and undeserved scathing response or a look of death. I was a bit... prickly. I felt that I had to keep walls up on all sides to deal with the world.

Tonight I spent a while discussing the fact that I had followed 'my man' halfway across the world and in those first few months I was called "James' girlfriend' rather than having an identity of my own. Several years ago I would have been as horrified at the idea of discussing that as with the idea of actually doing that. I suppose we soften in some ways as we grow, take it easier on ourselves and start to recognise what makes us happy.

Have a great weekend!