'Say one thing do another'

It's amazing how often we say things without thinking them through, isn't it? Last summer, I found myself in a situation where I was guilty of doing just that. I was reading a book called Unworthy by Anneli Rufus and came across a conversation between the author and someone who had survived melanoma. In my momentary lapse of judgment, I blurted out something incredibly insensitive to the survivor, saying that when you're vitamin D deficient, you feel like crap, so I say fry yourself and take your chances!

The irony was not lost on me when I saw a poster at the pool later on, promoting Banana Boat Sunscreen. My doctor had recently told me that my vitamin D levels were quite low and it would be beneficial to get some sun without using sunscreen. But of course, there's no excuse for saying something as thoughtless as what I did.

I've also found myself in situations where I accidentally offend people with my words. A few summers ago, I was feeling depressed and lethargic, so I had all kinds of blood work done. My doctor told me that my vitamin D levels were really low, so it would be helpful to get some sun and not wear sunscreen. What I didn't realize is that the teacher's name was Katie.

I was taken aback when she asked my daughter Katherine (whom we named after my grandmother and great-grandmother) what she wanted to be called. Without thinking, I launched into a long speech about why she should not be called Katie. It turns out that if there's a way to accidentally offend someone, I will find it.

I've been known to earn the nickname 'Tourettes' due to my lack of small-talk skills, and this experience was just another example of how quickly our words can hurt or offend others. It's a valuable lesson in being more mindful of what we say before we say it, and taking the time to think through our actions before reacting.