Never Too Late To Seek Therapy
Smith Magazine began the mania. Or was it Ernest Hemingway?
Old Papa was challenged to write a short story in six words. His typewriter bashed out this beauty:
For Sale, baby shoes, never used.
Then Smith picked up the thread, the literary magazine daring readers to summarise their lives in six words only. What followed was a frenzy, including:
Found true love, married someone else. (Bjorn Stromberg)
Never really finished anything, except cake. (Carletta Perkins)
Near-death experiences are my forte. (Anna Mauser-Martinez)
Being a monk stunk. Better gay. (Bob Redman)
Lucky in love, unlucky in metabolism. (Leah Weathersby)
So addictive were these mini-memoirs, the magazine became engulfed. They had no option but to create a collection, Not Quite What I Was Planning. Inside, the flavours range from acerbic (Girlfriend is pregnant, my husband said) to cosmic (Still lost on road less travelled.)
Come review time, perhaps the Philadelphia Magazine said it best: ‘Buy it, keep it in bathroom.’
Of course, makes you wonder what six words capture your own life. Once upon a time – the phrase – suddenly feels like a mouthful. How would you describe you life in a half-a-dozen? You show me yours – I’ll ditto.