punkinhead

Have you ever noticed some people are just so cranky?  And have you wondered why?

I was telling a friend today about a very cranky lady at work who just yelled and yelled at me the other day.   For something out of my control.  And when I called her back, to tell her that it would be resolved, to her benefit even, she gave me the silent treatment.  I was killing her with kindness and she was still rude.

And then today we go to process her charge card and it was declined.  My co-worker calls her and is almost apologetic that this has happened, though we are not in the wrong.  The woman does say she’s sorry and gives us a different card number, which is also declined.   Then she sounds annoyed when we have to call her again, though we’d be much happier if we didn’t have to.  Does she think we’re enjoying this?   And guess what – the situation is still not resolved because she hasn’t returned our call.

Which begs the question of why some people are like that.  And what is it that makes them so cranky?  Is there something in their lives they are dealing with that is making them so awful?  Or are they just like that?

Probably a little bit of both.

When my mother-in-law was dying, we were in the middle of a big painting project.   My husband was out of town, and I had to get another gallon of paint from the home improvement store.   Well, they did the wrong formula, which, of course, I didn’t discover until I was at home and started to put it on the walls.   So, on my return trip to the store, I have to admit, I was a bit cranky.   And I’m never cranky to store employees.   Never.  I am usually thanking them for my purchase.  I think a lot of us who work retail are nicer than average.   We know.  We just know what their job is like.

So this outburst was unlike me.  And after I calmed down, I apologized to the clerks, I explained the situation, and I began to cry.  In the middle of the paint department.  No, not one of my finer moments.   Then the dear older clerk came around the counter and gave me a big hug.   Which, of course, caused me to cry even more.   Right next to the paint chips.   Lovely.

My point is …..there was definite stress in my life that was making me so cranky.   This client has had 2 different credit/debit cards declined for the relatively small amount of $25.   There’s gotta be some stress there, don’t you think?

And isn’t it funny that I’d like to think so?  Is it wrong to wish she has something going on to make her so cranky?  Maybe it’s a little wish that she can’t be like that all the time.  Can she?

Usually I’m happy to knit hats, obviously.    I sell hand knit baby hats, I should be happy about it.   But recently I had to take a break from baby hats to make a hat I wasn’t happy about knitting.  Well, I was happy I could do it, but not happy for the reason I had to make it.   You see, it’s what they call a ‘chemo cap’.  A hat for someone who is about to lose their hair due to chemotherapy.   And it’s beautiful, for sure, I love the way it knitted up.   But, it’s for my stepdaughter, who has breast cancer.   Cancer has hit our family, again.   How can I be happy about that?

I can’t be ‘happy’, but I’m trying to be grateful.   Grateful her cancer is Stage 1.    Grateful they caught it early.   Grateful surgery went well.  Grateful she’s young and strong.   Grateful she has insurance.  Grateful she has a great attitude.   Grateful she is here.

So I’m shipping off her ‘chemo cap’, though I really hate that term.   It’s done.   And I hope I don’t have to make another one any time soon.