He was a big time speaker out from America and I was the younger female Aussie.  I was flattered to be asked to speak at the same conference.

 In the weeks leading up to this event I would find myself opening the glossy conference brochure that had my photo next to this internationally acclaimed speaker's professional head shot.  I would marvel at the fact that the organizers thought me qualified enough to be there.  Even though I was obviously his support act, I was more than happy to be so.

Some days I still soooo crave something to take 'the edge off' of how I am feeling.  And yesterday was one of those days.  I just felt drained and overwhelmed.  I have even cut back on caffeine lately as I am in the midst of menopause and caffeine just makes me feel even more irritable.  So I swigged water all day and just kept taking deep breaths.

"Okay honey, just let me see if I have it in your size" said the sales assistant who looked no older than perhaps 17.  She had crossed the line.  It wasn't just the "honey" comment; it was the whole tone of condescension that was not okay with me.

I touched her gently on the forearm to get her attention.  She turned to look at me and when she made pupil contact, I spoke gently, respectfully and clearly.

"I need to explain to you that you are about to lose a sale."  I paused as she exhaled and looked at me with genuine curiosity.

As an impatient emotional virgin back in 1995, it was explained to me that the reason I didnt have any deep intimate relationships in my life was because 'Intimacy takes time, so if I didn't make time, I wouldn't have intimacy'.  These words of wisdom were shared with me when I got clean and sober fourteen years ago.

Taking time, my God, instant gratification was my specialty.  The thought of taking time, being patient and considerate sounded like math's homework to me, to be honest.

I was curious about this word intimacy and what it involved.