We often hear “I smell good” from Sophia when something yummy smelling is in the oven or on the stove, sending flavor full odors into our home. Basically anywhere Sophia smells yummy food she’ll declare this. She loves her food. She loves the smell of good food. Don’t we all?
What I like about her phrase is we understand what she means, despite the words not in proper English form for their meaning. BUT, we KNOW her, we KNOW what she means. We SMILE when she says this as we think it is cute coming from our three year old.
It is also an example of pure understanding by the ones who love her and acceptance. I am not quick to say “Sophia says ‘it smells good’.” We just smile and know. It makes me think of friendships I have or have had. Some have been a struggle on basic communication and I’ve felt I’ve had to defend my words on a constant basis with the understanding so often skewed in ways that I’m like “no, no, that isn’t what I meant.”
Often those relationships wear me down and don’t last. There isn’t a connection and when it is that hard, there probably won’t ever be one. My BFF’s are the ones I’m comfortable in my skin with and can “spew” my thoughts/feelings/emotions and be accepted in full with UNDERSTANDING 99% of the time. It doesn’t mean we have to AGREE. That is another thing. The English language is complex and how we use expressions and words, mixed with our baggage of upbringing, education, experiences and culture all play into that.
So…to my BFF”s who “get me” – thank you. Thank you for making me at ease enough to be who I am and love me anyways. When life gets rough you are there for me to vent…you are there for me to lean on, you are there to understand or pretend you understand without judgment.
“I smell good” is the core of comfort….may you “smell good too!”
I think I’m ready for that crock pot potato soup…later.