Life is too short to not enjoy a good laugh and perhaps learn something new in the process.  And today that is just what happened for me. 

I went into the office of one of my colleagues to ask a favor.  While there, and as is the custom of women, we began to transition from one subject to another.  And somehow, we landed on the differences of the generations and the way we do things.  Now I will say, I absolutely love speaking to younger women because they seem to always have a perspective that either teaches or tickles me and most times both.  I also realize how much they also enjoy my company for some of the very same reasons.  So ultimately, I think of these type of sharing opportunities as generational matches made in heaven and trust that God sees, hears, and giggles. 

Anyway, this young lady LaWanda and myself are going back and forth about some of the ways she does things and some of the ways I do things.  Not bantering, just expressing.  We were talking about clothing and the traditions that have been carried on / passed down and those disposed of / pooh poohed away. Specifically, and don’t ask me what route we took to get there, but she wrinkled her nose and with a look of mild annoyance told me that she doesn’t believe in the need or utility of wearing a slip under any circumstances.  According to her not only are they unnecessary, they also can create a fashion faux pas because a hanging slip will completely ruin the look of an otherwise fly ass outfit for no justifiable reason.  Now me, I come from the school of there being certain times and outfits that warrant a slip, a longline bra, a girdle, stockings etc.  But I must confess that donning these binding and restrictive items is often a case of comfort be damned for the luxury of being cute.  Hell, I still wear dress shields under some of my garments less they be tarnished by underarm stains and sweat.

Anyway as we are flowing through this litany of women’s dressing elements, she shared her disdain for the idea of folding underwear before putting them away, as if this was a stuffy and outdated practice without merit.  And of course my response was, “well, I fold up my underwear when I do my laundry and never have thought to do differently”. 

And Ms LaWanda responded with such authority and conviction that it shut down any further discussion when she said, “Life is too short to fold underwear”.  All I could do was bust out laughing, and I laughed really really hard for quite a moment.  I was laughing because I never heard something so ridiculous make so much sense.  And in the midst of my laughter and trying to wrap my head around what she said, she continued, “who is going to know if your underwear are wrinkled?  And if they are wrinkled, you need to go out and buy a smaller size”.  Hahahahaha.  And I continued to laugh because all I could visualize in my mind’s eye was a pair of saggy wrinkled drawers on an otherwise firm behind.  I couldn’t get myself together.  And I had no answer or rebuttal.  Just gut-massaging laughter.  Finally, through and in spite of my unrepentant chuckles, I told her that I never considered that perspective, I just did it because that’s what I have always done.

But thanks to the very witty and charming LaWanda Stewart, in that moment, I learned a lesson that will perhaps lengthen the value of my days. (jokingly I say this)  However, I have decided to never again waste my time on this earth folding up a pair of panties, underwear, undies, or whatever name they are known by.  Life is just way too short and too damn precious to be contemplating or fiddling around with a pair of drawers.

Now, my lingerie, that’s an altogether different subject……