If you say that there is no excuse for something, you are emphasizing that it should not happen, or expressing disapproval that it has happened.
Life doesn’t only consist of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Life has ups and downs and everyone tries to survive in his own clock-shell surrounded by a dangerous ocean. Life is stuffed with plenty of excuses, and we are sometimes unable to apologize and say a meaningful “sorry” at the right moment.
Excuses don’t know the question of age. I still have two significant examples to share:
The church was crowded. Confirmation. A woman came too late. Traffic jams. In need of help, the woman looked to the left and then to the right. It looked like a young man liked to help her. He murmured, “Show up a bit, the LOLA likes to sit down”. The situation looked problem-free at that moment. But after taking a deep breath, the LOLA realized the young man’s comment. She was just 38 years “young”! With uneasiness she looked at the youngster, who started smiling at her. How old could he be? 14 or 15? A very big difference already to her age. Then suddenly, the young man realized his inappropriate remark and stuttered, “Sorry Ma-am, please excuse me!”
Choked with emotions, I also listened to the story of my former editor colleague in Germany several years ago. Her mother had expelled her from life. Only while laying on her deathbed, the mother did offer a plea in extenuation because of her lifelong fault.
Excuses, because one is embarrassed or with a simple alibi can be found at every corner. Did you, my dear reader, count already, how many times you used the term “IF”?
Just to mention this example: “If I could pass my German language exam with distinction, my partner would be very proud of me!” Sure, not only he, but also me, as your German language professor on Ateneo de Davao University.
If there would be a God, there wouldn’t be so much misery, poverty, and war on earth!”
If there wouldn’t be the little world IF, how could we still explain our not necessary excuses?
Maybe, you still remember Elton John’s song from 1976: “Sorry (in the right moments!) seems to be the hardest word” … .
That depends!
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