Passing Gas

One of those things we just don’t talk about after the age of about 12, when even a Whoopee Cushion is no longer a thing of amusement.  God forbid we should use the words farting or flatulence.  Unfortunately it is a condition that some people learn to live with.

Like my father, for example.  In his late years it was so frequent that he didn’t even acknowledge what was happening.

But then who does acknowledge it?  Especially if there are more than 2 people in the room and it’s not obvious where the noise came from.

I once worked with a guy who definitely suffered from flatulence.  He was the brunt of many office jokes.  I often wondered how he felt about his condition and whether he had tried to get medical help.

I worry that I might inherit that particular characteristic of my father’s.  Certain foods, like dairy products and chocolate, tend to have that effect sometimes even now.  In my rolfing session last week, as the rolfer was working on my lower back rather intensively, I heard that tell-tale noise.  I imagine he hears it a lot as extra pressure compresses the person’s colon.  I said nothing and of course neither did he.

I will know I am really old when I no longer feel embarrassed!