Stating the Obvious

My mom is hilarious.

She and I joined some friends at a Mardi Gras lunch yesterday and when we got in the car Mom started talking about where we would eat lunch on Sunday (I know that no one is surprised that food is always a popular topic with me and my mom) and she started saying how she really needed to eat more fish, but that she didn't want to eat it fried or even sautéed – she wanted baked.

Then I said (major statement of the obvious here) "Well, I like my food to taste good."

Mom then laughed and said, "Well, there's no danger of me getting too skinny."

Mom and I also spend a lot of time talking about our ailments and what to do about them.  We both eat 9 gin-soaked raisins each morning for arthritis and Mom is always asking other people (friends, my co-workers, lady in line at the grocery, the cashier at the grocery, you – give me your number, she’ll call you) what pills they take or eat or do to stay healthy.  My friend Ann recently told Mom about what medication she takes and when Mom asked her why, Ann said “I don’t like to be in pain.”

My other favorite statement of the obvious was by my friend Cynthia many years ago.  Cynthia had cable TV before anyone else.  She had a DVD player first.  Her reasoning?  “I like to be entertained.”

I love these examples because they make me laugh, but really, do we need to state the obvious?

Yes.  We all need to hear “I love you.”

Yes.  It really is a beautiful day.  I want you to affirm that to me.  It makes me happy.

Yes.  Sometimes a statement of the obvious is going to save a child – as in a report of abuse.  You can report child abuse in Texas by calling 1-800-252-5400.  If you are at least 18 years old, you are legally bound to make that report of suspicion of abuse or neglect.  You may do it anonymously.

State the obvious.  Tell everyone you know to do it too.