I decided to stop buying bottled water. It added to almost $200 a month, which is simply unnecessary. I gave mom one of the reusable bottles of water I had available. She started using it, and everything was well.

A few hours later, in the evening, she called me over and asked me how to change the volume on the TV.

“Well, with the remote control just like you always do, mom.”

“But how do I use it with the new bottle?”

“What do you mean?” She responded by gestures in the air I did not understand.”

“Mom, you change the volume just as you always have; the new bottle doesn’t change anything.”

“But how do I use the new bottle to change the volume.”

I had no better response this night. I simply asked her to grab the remote and use the volume buttons to change it. I received a blank stare and a gesture indicating she did not know where those buttons were.

I showed her the buttons, increased the volume, and returned to my chair.

I honestly do not know how to handle many of these simple situations. I simply do not. Maybe I am the one who does not understand.