Some Books Can Be Judged By Their Covers

I remembered that old saw: You can't judge a book by its cover. I always understood that it meant you shouldn't judge a person by how she looks, but by how she acts. An unattractive book cover could hide a wonderful story.

I've known some unattractive people in my life. I mean the people who don't have the pretty hair that always looks great or the perfect sized nose or chin. The men or women who have lopsided eyes or crooked teeth, like I do. A squashed nose, lumpy jowls, really large ears, warts and moles in all the wrong places. Yeah, I have some of those, too.

But after getting to know these people, all that's soon forgotten and you look forward to seeing them again, mainly because of their personalities. They have something in them that comes out in their laughter, their warm-heartedness, their joy of life. I've met a lot of people in my life and I've met my share of unattractive, but beautiful people that I enjoy being with.

The sad thing is that I know some unattractive people who are simply that - unattractive. No smile, no compassion, no joy. People who shut everyone out. I can't imagine what life must be like for these unhappy people. I think Dr. Phil calls them "right fighters". They will fight to the end with no compromise, no give and take, not accepting or giving forgiveness. It's all cut and dried - they are right and will die defending it. Alone, if necessary. Black and white. Dying flowers in the rocky, dry, sunless corner of the garden.

What a shame.