I have always wondered why, if you can’t hear what someone says, you don’t ask them to repeat it.

On my recent trip on the Camino, my nephew walked about 20-30 feet ahead of me and talked with his back to me. I couldn’t hear him so I told him I didn’t hear.

He repeated it.

This time I still didn’t hear but the experience was accompanied by a sense of inadequacy, and shame.

Maybe I didn’t deserve to hear.

Maybe if I ask again I will be an irritation.

The next time someone asks me to repeat, I’m going to take the initiative to make sure the message gets through. I’m going to take ownership for not speaking clearly and loudly.