Perfect…. Just Perfect

   


   Ten years ago I started writing a column for a small local newspaper. Eventually I became an owner of the paper until a few years ago.
   As I was reviewing the file of previous articles I had written, I came across this one. It caught my attention. Why? Because of the title and the word "perfect". Little did I know ten years ago this word would become one of the most popular words in the current President's limited vocabulary. The perfect this, the perfect that......
   I have tended to stay far away from writing political comments these days. There are enough other people doing that today. But I thought I might just dust this one off and laugh a bit.
   But in keeping with a tradition or two..."have a 'perfect' weekend", even while we are still 6 feet apart.


  

         As I sat down to prepare to write this week, I thought this might be a good time to say ‘thank you’ to those who have been reading my work by writing the perfect column. But before I began, I needed to do a bit of homework, because the word ‘perfect’ is used very frequently and has several different meanings.

          According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, the word perfect means ‘a state of excellence’ or ‘faultlessness’. Completely correct! One only needs to listen to hear the word used with common regularity today. Does that mean that everything is perfect, like the weather?

           We have all hoped at one time or another for the perfect date. Every bride and groom dreams of the perfect wedding. We search endlessly for a restaurant that will serve the perfect meal.

          The coach who wants his team to win the championship encourages his players to play the perfect game or the conductor of the orchestra directs the musician with the wave of the baton to play the perfect concerto.

          Sales people must be taught to use the word ‘perfect’ as many times as possible. “That suit is perfect for you. It matches your eyes.” I don’t want a suit to match my eyes. I want it to fit properly! “Oh. This tie is a perfect match too.” Is it a perfect match to the suit or my eyes?

          Car sales people have the perfect car for you. How do they know? “This new minivan would be perfect for you,” sizing up a soccer mom. Actually, she had her eye on the little red convertible.

         We all want are children to grow up to be perfect. Do perfect parents insure perfect children or is it the other way around? Maybe you have heard someone say, “She is the perfect candidate to run in the election.” What makes her perfect? Maybe she knows the right people!

          We have all heard of the perfect fool or the perfect stranger. How about the perfect novel or movie. We search for the perfect gift for that special (perfect) friend. Chocolate is nice!

          Recently I overheard two friends talking. One was planning a party for her sister and her new boy friend. She wanted to make sure that everything was……you guessed it,  perfect! With that kind of pressure there are bound to be problems.

          I think I have figured out this word ‘perfect’, however. For something to be perfect, it must be measured against a standard of some kind. That standard can be real or it can be imaginary, like the picture in your mind.

          I knew a coach who taught his player to swing a baseball bat with their eyes closed. Picture in your mind the baseball racing toward home plate and just as it crosses the plate, swing the bat, sending the ball over the outfield fence. Basketball coaches often do the same for practicing foul shots.

          So for my friends, I bring this ‘perfect column’ to a conclusion and hope you each have the perfect weekend.