Do Not Take This Wrong

"Don’t take this wrong," my college mentor said. I took a deep breath. Dr. Jean is always kind, especially to me. She knows how sensitive I am. But….she said. You know how you do things a bit…. Deep sigh. “Over the top? Helter skelter? Piggly wiggly?” I guessed. She nodded. “Listen, I am not saying don’t be yourself. You know you delight me. But this is a job interview. They do not KNOW you" She turned and looked out the window. “Don’t be SO MUCH............................... ME?” I guessed. She turned and caught my eyes with her own. She nodded. We began to laugh and neither of us could not stop laughing. This was thirty years ago and I still smile when I think of it. I was totally me in that job interview, because I knew that if I was anyone else, and they found out, we would both be disappointed. I got the job too.