Stranger Looks

One of my first experiences in the field of Developmental Disabilities was at the Residential level, supporting different households in different ways. Making sure homes had the right types of foodstuffs - and no expired goods - was always part of the agenda. Finding unlabeled food hiding in a crowded refrigerator, and wondering whose it was, and sometimes, WHAT it could be, was always a head-scratcher. "Residential 101", as my long-time colleague, Don, would say.

One day, while visiting the home of three gentlemen, of varying ages: one was in his late 20s, one in his early 50s, and one in his late 60s, I began looking over their kitchen, checking for cleanliness, then proceeded to open the fridge to have myself a look-see. The larger than normal refrigerator allowed enough room for three adults to share, and also afforded space to "lean into it" more and get a much better view.

As I peered in, arching my head inside, the gentleman in his 50's, who moved rather silently, made his way behind me unnoticed, and then startled me, as I saw his head alongside mine, leaning in, also surveying the chilled contents of this silver behemoth....

With a very peculiar expression, complimented by a curious furl of his brow - that I could detect in the narrow reflection of the stainless steel panel on the interior lining of the door - he uttered quietly, and with a definite sense of hope, "I sure would like to munch on a bah-gull [sic]". Well...my favorite food happens to be the bah-gull (onion, to be exact)! I assure you, that the unique look mirrored back at me, and the accompanying battle cry, have surfaced on many mornings of mine, echoing as I crunch into the toasted, chewy, wheel of sustenance.

Munch away.

Questions? Feel free to email me at jeff.rumbaugh@thetranslation-bc.com. Thanks for tuning in and stay REAL!! Jeff 🫶🏼

"Sometimes all it takes is a good translator."