looking over the marina and up our valley
Good Day, God!
My husband, Kit, and I had a relaxed lunch at the marina in Hawaii Kai. I’m not much of a picnic person but I love eating outside.
And I like looking up at the Hahaione Valley where we live. Seeing our “home” from a different perspective helps me understand more about our setting, our context.
This weekend I got to “see” myself from the perspective of a delightful houseguest from California. I was sitting with her at breakfast and extolling the benefits of omega 3 fats — as I am want to do. Explaining that our bodies have only so many enzymes available at any one time to digest fats. If we load our plate — or salad bowl — with omega 6 fats (all vegetable oils except olive and coconut), then taking an omega 3 pill afterwards might be too little and too late.
Then I offered — well urged — her to have a wee taste of peach flavored cod-liver oil. Oh DEAR! Only her excellent manners kept the oil from being spat out on the table! I felt awful! I had caused my friend a “food trauma.”
But because of that trauma I have dramatically remapped one quadrant of how humans differ. I had no place on my mental map for Super Tasters. I sort of understood some folks had a great sense of smell or a superior palate. But, I had totally missed the intensity of the taste experience!
I just didn’t get it, God! Then, to drive the point home — this afternoon I took a Highly Sensitive Person self test. I scored 3 or maybe 4 out of 27. A good friend scored 23 out of 27. Yikes! Once again, I had only a cognitive awareness of what it meant to be a Highly Sensitive Person. Reading through the list was daunting! Please, God, help us to feel just how widely we differ.
Please give us both deeper awareness and greater compassion for one another, God.
Story teller,
A Moment with God 
I am sure your California houseguest had a lot of fun teasing you afterwards….I always love how you get me to try new things. Love you, Margie-Mom! And you have me laughing again. . . .