The up side is that we appear to be well-stocked with NFOFs.

[mrissa]

This has happened to me three times now: I have been waiting in line in a public place with one of Grandpa's books. And a Nice Friendly Old Fella has noticed what I was reading and commented upon it favorably, because Grandpa's books tend to be Nice Friendly Old Fella Approved.

And then like an idiot I tell the NFOF that I inherited my grandpa's books and I am reading through them all.

And then the NFOF tears up. There in line at the post office or Target or wherever else. He gets sniffly about me and my grandpa's books.

I know it's not a bad kind of sniffly. It just makes me feel like a horrible cad, going around reading things and making NFOFs cry, and I feel like I should come up with something else to say that will not make them cry, but it just...comes out of my mouth. And I don't really feel like making a huge effort to avoid my grandpa in conversation. That is about the least Mrissish thing ever. So I just don't know what.

Comments

[fidelioscabinet.livejournal.com]

Go ahead and make 'em sniffle. You're giving them hope the world has not gone to hell in a hatbox after all, if one of You Kids is doing stuff like that to remember her Grandpa by.

[miz-hatbox.livejournal.com]

Exactly so.

[swan-tower.livejournal.com]

Yeah -- I obviously haven't seen any of the three incidents myself, but there's a real chance the sniffling isn't of a bad sort.

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's actually my reaction, too. Sure, it's a bit embarrassing for the NFOF, but it's a good kind of embarrassing; the kids are alright, or at least this one is.

[stillnotbored.livejournal.com]

Friendly old fellows tearing up is a tribute to the relationship you and your grandfather had. That you are reading through all his books is a continuation of that bond and an act of love.

And I am firmly of the opinion that telling people about it is a good thing.

[gwynnega]

Aww, that is really touching.

[sam-t.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've ever caused a Nice Friendly Old Fella to sniffle (may or may not be related to the shortage of any sort of OFs in my family, so I don't have grandad stories) and I think I'd be rather perturbed if I had. I mean, sniffling in front of the general public is, on the whole, not something that NFOFs do, so I'd feel rather uncomfortable about causing them to do it, even knowing that they'd much rather know about the reading project and sniffle than remain unaware and keep the stiff upper lip.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

How about my grandpa gave it to me? (Though maybe the tears are a good thing for some? I know I hate tearing up in a public place when such moments catch me by surprise, but then I have that public space wariness going on.)

[rmnilsson.livejournal.com]

Those are the good kind of sniffles, I think. Go ahead and spread happy sniffles.

[cissa.livejournal.com]

They're crying in a GOOD way. They'd be the first to say that you should not edit yourself to prevent this.