By William Rowell
Did you ever notice how whenever someone asks a question they often begin with "How come"? It is usually not answered, as it is something trivial, and the other party doesn't know either; nor do they care.
It brings to mind the TV program Unsolved Mysteries. It had its moment in the sun, but never really caught on. I, like most of America, never really wondered why a Himalayan monk rang a bell a certain number of times each morning or night. In my house, it was simply an excellent time to make a pit stop and/or get a snack and a beer.
I have, however, noticed certain things in life that have caused me to ask the "How come" question. I don't know why I do it, as I know there is no logical explanation. Let me share a few examples. I am sure you can certainly add to the list:
- How come all restaurant tables have one leg shorter than the other three?
- How come a lost item will suddenly reappear only after you have purchased a replacement?
- How come passing the exit to a rest area on the interstate will activate your kidneys?
- How come you can finally give in and purchase something expensive, only to have a friend say, "Wish I knew you wanted one. I have two and would have given you one"?
- Maybe the ladies out there can help me with this one: How come the word "underpants" is plural while the word "bra" is singular?
- How come you drive miles to charter a fishing boat and do not have any luck, only to hear the captain say, "You should have been here yesterday. They were really biting and we filled the boat."
- Finally, how come we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway? This is an old one that has been around for years and from multiple sources. I cannot take credit for it, and don't know who can.
We are an intelligent society and should be able to resolve some of these problems. For instance, there was the old one: How come my phone always rings when I am in the bathroom or otherwise indisposed?
That is no longer a problem to most of us, as we now have cell phones that can be at our side whenever and wherever we are. Do you suppose the idea of it came from someone who was always in the bathtub when it rang?
I have noticed, however, that these unsolvable instances are mostly minor and not life-changing. It is as though God is either playing a joke on us or testing us to see how we react to such minor situations. I don't believe you have to look very far to see the uniqueness in each person. God bless and have a great day.
William Rowell is a newspaper columnist whose sage words have appeared near and far.