An Open Letter to the Girl in Class Who Said “Oh, So That’s Why You’re So Funny” When I Told Her I’ve Had Two Dogs Die At A Young Age:

Dear Girl in Class (Whose name I am keeping private for your sake and because I can’t exactly remember how you spell it),

This should be more about you, unpacking why you decided to tell me that and why you thought your timing was appropriate (coming back to school after my second dog had died), but this will probably be more about me. Sorry, but I mean you only tell that comment to a specific kind of person, so I don’t know what you’re expecting from me here.

Before getting too into things, let me preface this with some background information. I wouldn’t want you out of the loop before reading the rest of this letter. I have always had Boston Terriers growing up (I still do, but I’m considerably grown now), so the two precious dogs I refer to are boston terriers. Now, so you can continue to imagine things better, one was very meaty and definitely not full-bred, always sleeping, and the other was very skinny and anxious, always shaking, but both were great to cuddle with.

Now, we can start with the fact that I was not even offended when you told me that. I was actually even flattered, and clearly, still think about it today. I was just so excited and happy that you called me funny that I didn't even think further into what ignited that comment from you (my dead dogs). Although maybe I shouldn't, I do want to thank you for that comment. Not only because it gave me a boost of confidence, but because that day I learned something about myself (and yourself, but like I said - this is not going to be about you).

I learned that I will ignore anything and even everything someone tells me, when part of what they’re telling me is the compliment “You’re funny”. That may be a weakness, but is something that you feel from a compliment a weakness? For me to ignore something rude you said, you need to tell me I’m funny. So really, I don’t see it as a weakness, I see it as maybe even a strength because you already think and admit that I’m funny, so really I have already won you over there (and realistically, I don’t know what other department I’d win you over in, so that’s as far as I get on a good day).

Secondly, and lastly for now, we should consider if what you said was true and whether or not you had a point. First thing to consider under the whole subject is the question, “Am I even funny?” Although comedy is subjective and everyone’s sense of humor is different, for not only the sake of my clearly fragile self confidence, but also for the sake of the letter, the answer to that is going to be yes. Yes, I am (really) funny. It is no surprise to me you thought that, because (and I’ll let you in on this little secret) anytime I made a joke aloud to the class, I probably whispered it to myself at least three times while trying to consider every possible outcome that could arise from my comment. I tried my best to make the jokes come out natural, but they were never that natural. I tried and I tried real hard. So, if you ever thought what I said was funny, but my timing could use some work, it may be my confidence to say things aloud that needs some work, not the timing.

To move on from there, we should consider why I am funny and where my (impeccable) sense of humor comes from. My dad would probably say, “yeah, you’re funny, but only because I raised you to be funny and you get it all from me.” My mom would probably tell me it comes from my lack of understanding serious situations (whatever that means, Mom). My past teachers would probably say, “You’re actually not that funny, you just won’t stop talking and after a while people start to feel bad so they laugh.” (All I’m hearing is people start to laugh, so I think I’m doing things just fine.) Clearly, you would and have already said that my humor comes from my dead dogs. But ultimately, I think everyone is probably at least a little right in some way. Unfortunately, except for you.

I don’t think my humor came from my dead dogs. When they passed, I didn’t feel a sudden surge of bits, setups, and impressions. Believe it or not, I actually felt sad. (Yes, Mom, I do know that’s a big improvement, thank you.) So it’s settled, my dogs dying did not make me funny, but if you’re still hesitant or have any doubt about it left in you, I will introduce you to my older sister. She had the same dogs, experienced the same deaths and she is not (at all) funny. Unless you think awkward aggression is the epitome of comedy, you probably won’t like her style.

So finally, to the girl in class who said, “Oh, so that’s why you’re so funny” when I told her I have had two dogs die at a young (which to clarify, yes - the dogs and I were both at a young age), thank you. Thank you for being so oblivious and lacking so much self awareness that you had the confidence to say that to my face with no hesitation senior year, (you know, the year before we all go into the ‘real world’, start to vote, and make our own big life decisions, which I’m sure you’re making some great ones) when I had just came back to school after my second dog had died.

Sincerely,

The Girl Who Shouldn’t Have Taken It as a Compliment

P.S. Maybe next time don’t ask about the cremation process.

Laura Hernandez is currently working towards receiving a degree in English. She was born and raised in San Diego, California. She spends her time keeping up with schoolwork, indulging in so much television, and trying to learn new skills, like she currently is with rollerblading. She primarily writes comical pieces, as she doesn’t like to take things too seriously, centered around her own experiences growing up.