Where Do We Get It?

I can remember the day my Uncle Bill taught us how to burp on command.  My cousin, Lorri, and I were the perfect students on that day.  We adored, even idolized, our uncle.  Being the "baby" of the family, he ALMOST felt like he was "one of us."  Big differences:  He could drive us to the store for a pop, he sat at the grown-up table at Thanksgiving and man, oh, man, could he belch!  Rapt novices in the art of gaseous emissions, we were enthralled by the apparent ease with which our hero expelled one enormous burp after another. "Suck in the air and swallow it, then push it out," our Uncle coached, over and over again.  It didn't take long until Lorri and I managed to emit that glorious sound!  Uncle Bill cheered!  We could not have been prouder.  From that day forward, we became prolific belchers.  It is a skill one must hone during one's life and I am delighted to report that, like a fine wine, Lorri and I have perfected the art of the burp through decades of "aging."

Sometimes, when I burp out loud, not caring who hears it (okay, I care, and it's usually when I am home with my family--or not!) or squirt the occasional scoop of mashed potatoes between my teeth, I silently pay homage to those beloved members of my family who taught me to love one another, to help my fellow man and to share the gifts I have been given for good and not evil.  Love you, Mom, Aunt Myrna AND Uncle Bill!!!!