When they were very young...

E-Grrrl and A were squabbling in the living room when E-Grrrl's voice rose with indignation as she addressed her brother:

"What is WRONG with you? Did you FAIL preschool and never learn to SHARE?!"

(Sweet grrrl. Sharp tongue. Don't know where she gets that from.)

Her outburst made me think about sharing. Learning to share is a life long process, it begins but doesn't end with preschool.

It's easy for me to share my thoughts, emotions, and experiences on this blog, even those moments I'm far from proud of, but it's harder for me to commit to sharing my time as a volunteer.

Since moving to Belgium, I've learned to do two things I never thought I would: share a single shower stall with my entire family and share towels, meaning when I grab a towel that's been used and hung to dry in the bathroom, I have no idea who used it last. Before this I always had my own towel and my own towel rack and no one used "my" towel--not even E. We don't have space for keeping four towels separated and hung in the bathroom here, so I've learned to share.

I'm not so good at sharing the computer or my desk, but I loaned my laptop to Di for a few weeks.

I share my art supplies with E-Grrrl, but E and I realized recently that we each need our own digital camera.

I'm pretty good at sharing whatever is on my plate, though I can be a little possessive of the popcorn bowl.

Help yourself to my lotion, shampoo and hair stuff, but don't mess with my perfume, jewelry, or wide-tooth comb.

And my Ugg slippers? Back OFF.  But If I'm in a good mood, I might let you wear my Tevas.

E-Grrrl, A, and I all wear the same size socks right now. I don't like sharing socks.

I do like sharing my bed...

...but you can't have my pillow. Ditto my bathrobe, my most important comfort object.

I don't like anyone touching my iPod or moving my CDs off the shelves. Do what you want with my books.

You can sit in "my" chair, use my favorite mug and drink my English Breakfast tea, but borrow my favorite pen? No way.

How about you? What do you find easy to share? What do you keep to yourself?

September 21, 2007