I am grateful for~
1. Typos
2. Looking for them reinforces my need to pause
3. Finding them reinforces a chance to fix things
4. Overlooking them reinforces the skill of others who find them
5. Being told about them afterwards reinforces my need for humility
6. Ackowledging that Spellcheck doesn’t catch all reminds me that I cannot control everything
7. Seeing them years later in previous copy reinforces that despite best my efforts mistakes happen
8. Finding them in copy that is not my own reinforces efforts at gentleness to others
9. Reading them in published copy by AP reinforces that mistakes are a universal constant
10. Attempting to type again, acknowledging their shadow, reinforces my journey of resilience :)
The night never wants to end, to give itself over
to light. So it traps itself in things: obsidian, crows.
Even on summer solstice, the day of light’s great
triumph, where fields of sunflowers guzzle in the sun —
we break open the watermelon and spit out
black seeds, bits of night glistening on the grass. Joseph Stroud, Night in Day
As a “compulsive editor” myself, Helen, I completely relate with this post. It is as close to perfection as most of us can attain. ;) Such wisdom and so succinct, too! (Definitely NOT my strength!) Thank you for sharing it! I’m new here so I have to wonder if I am allowed to pass it on. May I?
Thank you, Susan, for your kind comments. You are certainly welcome to share this little list!
###
Had a funny typo just today. I was writing to a work
colleague named Randy:
text should have read:
Hello Randy:
Your report gave us something to consider.
but I left off the “o” so Randy received:
Hell Randy:
Your report gave us somethig to consider.
—
I’ll start my new job, next week …
(just kidding) :)
Thanks again,
Helen
Hahahaaaa! Goood one! “Well, that’s different, isn’t it?!” It reminds me of Gilda Radner on Saturday Night Live years ago. One little difference can change the entire meaning.
Thanks for the response and permission! Have a grateful day! =)
I just shared it on my FB page, complete with a link! =)