Wednesday, August 19, 2009

In a World Where Everyone Is Safe

There's no group left to persecute on sight. Except smokers. Here's something to think about from Laura Moriarty, who wrote The Center of Everything, a book I enjoyed very much. I have The Rest of Her Life at home as well, but I haven't read it yet.

Anyway, Moriarty was asked to name a book which changed her life. She answered:
"I think every good book I've read has changed me in some small way. A recent example: the other day, I walked past a woman who was sitting and smoking beside a baby carriage. I had a fleeting, negative judgment about her as a mother, and then I remembered one of David Sedaris' stories about his funny and wonderful mother, a chain smoker, and it reminded me that I really didn't know anything about the woman by the carriage or what kind of mother she was."
I know it's tough giving up that last group we're allowed to hate, especially when we're supposed to be so nice to everyone all the time, but let's face it - you're no saint.

2 comments:

  1. Well, thank you for that. I am a smoker who always moves downwind and far away, if possible. Not possible when tending carriage and occupant, but the downwind works.

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  2. I was looking back through to link to an old post, and realized I'd never thanked you for reading and posting.

    So... thanks.

    I'm an ex-smoker who is known to have a puff or two when the moon is right and he's deep in his cups. In trying to fight the urge to be self-righteous, I will always have a soft spot for smokers.

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