Lessons Taught or Lessons Poorly Learned

It is summer time, 1956, and I am enjoying these carefree times at my grandparents before embarking upon the great adventures of the second grade. My two sisters and I are sitting at the kitchen table, and having finished supper we are waiting for grandmother to serve desert. She sets a bowl of Jello in front of each sister and remarks casually to me, “I didn’t fix you any desert….. because you don’t like Jello.” Minutes pass before my breath returns and the room stops spinning. Then; as I mentally review the vague comments uttered a day earlier, it struck me – what appeared to be my dear maternal grandmother was in fact a multi tentacled, fire breathing alien from the evil empire. This creature masquerading as Granny, had somehow devoured her and was at that moment using the disguise with the obvious intent of leading us to the slaughter! There could be no other explanation - I'm stunned, and confused.........What does jello have to do with desert? This is absurd! Damn it!.... My sisters sit with tight-lipped grins; completely unaware of the approaching doom, as I, traumatized, adjust to this new world order. Miraculously we survived that day and ever so slowly I realized Grandma was trying to teach me to guard my words. “Watch what you say or expect to eat those words later. There will always be someone to remind you of thoughtless comments made, and opinions misspoken”. She could have explained it to me in those terms with a slice of Apple Pie and I may have turned out normal. Fifty-four years later I am being taught that lesson all over again. Having steadfastly refused to read any Science Fiction novel presented, on the grounds that it is just not good literature, I finally agreed to “try one” in an attempt to quiet my older sister. Instantly she produced a paper bound tale of inter-galactic conflict and survival, titled Old Mans War, by John Scalzi. Now, as I turn the last page, having enjoyed space travel and survived alien attacts, I am curious what my sister will recommend next. And remembering that lesson grandma taught so long ago, I am preparing to dine on the words “I don’t like Science Fiction!”. Incidentally, I can’t help but wonder why this lesson seems to have a recurring theme in my life. Hmm I wonder what is next!