Stupidstitious

I always thought I made up the word “stupidstitious,” and felt so clever and proud. But after a long time of internal boasting, I Googled it and discovered otherwise. I was instantly deflated, but that’s okay. There may still be a word I’ll create that will shoot me right into internet fame and glory, with dictionaries begging to add my word to their next editions.

This is not what this blog is about though. Actually, being stupidstitious is the main focus and boy am I ever. I always was. In a previous blog, I wrote about how as a child, I always knocked on wood in my bed at night as I prayed that my family would be safe and we wouldn’t go hungry. Unfortunately, that knock became a series of knocks as my stupidstitions grew, fear being the driving force. And here I am today, still knocking on wood as I say my nightly prayers. I seemed to have combined faith with superstition, but touching something as I pray makes God feel more tangible to me, bringing me closer so my prayers will be heard.

When the Covid nightmare began, I put on a necklace my mom had brought home from her visit to Israel, the Hand of Fatima, also known as the Hamsa Hand, which is believed to ward off the evil eye and bring good luck. The Hand is encircled in gold filigree and a small turquoise stone is placed in the bottom center of the Hand’s palm. Here we are over 5 years later and that necklace still hangs from my neck, the stone worn down, practically colorless now. The few times I have taken it off for medical-related reasons have been quite disconcerting and I scrambled to put it back on as soon as I was permitted.

I have other stupidstitious beliefs and habits as well. Just last week, I was speaking about my friend who was serving jury duty and I mentioned that I hadn’t been called in a long time. Before I even finished my sentence, I knew I was doomed. And sure enough, I got a letter in the mail this week from the Federal Middle Court ordering me to fill out a questionnaire to determine if they can call me to serve.

The expression “Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch” is ingrained in my brain. It’s how I was raised and the proof this expression is real is how when I was young, I almost always got sick at the worst possible times. Like holidays, school trips, whatever. I could never look forward to anything because chances were I wouldn’t get to do it. I began to feel as if there was a cloud following me around waiting for me to get my hopes up so it could start raining on my parade. (If you’ve been following my blogs, you know I’m an idiom girl, which is only one letter away from being an idiot girl, lol).

Anyway, I have once again proved it isn’t easy being me. If there are other stupidstitious people out there, please come forward and share. And remember, if you randomly hear someone knocking, you now know who it is.