Written retrospectively for the 2021 archive.

At thirty-eight, I wrote about how much room there is in the words “Let me think about that.” I like them because they give me a chance to go over what I heard without making a decision in the middle of the conversation.

Looking back, I want to be better at coming back after that pause. The next day I can say what I understand now or ask about the part I still don’t get. Taking time to think matters more when the other person knows I took their words with me.