View From the Hammock brought to you by Purple Frog

I was really proud of my Easter letter. I came home with a copy, “Honey, I'm so thrilled:  I've done it all!” My secretary was sick, so I even went to the post office and mailed the letters. My husband read the letter without showing any emotions. “You didn’t send this yet, did you?” “Of course, I did!” “Well, this is how it sounds, ‘Easter isn’t only about Bonnies humping around . ’” “Exactly!” I listened to my writing one more time and was proud of myself even more. It sounded really strong and original. “Honey, do you know what humping is?” “Of course, I do! This is when rabbits jump – they hump.” “Ah, I see. Did you mean, ‘hopping’?” “Oh, my! So what is ‘humping’?” 500 letters were already mailed, and I prayed that all those people never really read those Easter letters anyway. Especially the three old ladies in the church named Bonnie.

I found myself in the retail business after serving a church for many years. Can't resist the temptation to compare the church and the retail worlds! In two short months, I saw plenty of contrasts: a Middle-Eastern woman, who hides her face behind a veil, and a transgender guy, who fearlessly displays his/her new breasts to the public. I was told that money doesn't have gender. Dollars are still dol lars. Gays, lesbians, blacks, greens, immigrants... Does it really matter? The world of retail is more accepting, more encouraging, and more sincere than the church world. How refreshing to be appreciated after being pointed at my accent for way too long. As for me, I still have my accent but, if in the church I was criticized for having it, in the world of retail, I am praised for it. I'm told that people are curious of someone who is different from them. In the church, Christians look down at those who are different. Today, I was told that I have an accent. Here we are again...