An Age of Nincompoopery

As much as it pains me to admit this, when I was still living in my parents’ home as a young teen, my mother sometimes accused me of being a nincompoop. I didn’t really know the meaning of the word then but I have learned since and have come to the conclusion that as a teen-ager I was far too young to be a nincompoop. I’m convinced that nincompoopery is an acquired talent that requires years of practice and development.

My 92 year old mother has fallen this week and fractured both of her legs. She is enmeshed in the medical and healthcare system of California and in particular that branch that deals with the elderly. It has become abundantly apparent to me that she is, and has been for some time, in a vortex of nincompoopery. She is surrounded by them! People whom you would expect to be at the top of their game but quickly discover that they have no clue about how to deal with family members of a patient, not even those who have health care power of attorney. I won’t frighten you, dear reader, with all the horrid details. Suffice it to say that were my mother aware of what we are dealing with on her behalf she would certainly call them nincompoops.

But nincompoopery is not exclusively found in the medical field, nor only in California (though one wonders sometimes). It’s found in the church and related ministries, in the community, in the school, in the family, in the halls of government. Indeed, they can be found all around the world, perhaps because they are running the world! What a frightening thought. It’s a fact, after all, that many intelligent and talented people are wonderful examples of nincompoops. I think it would be wonderful if colleges would give degrees in it. That way, we might be able to identify the nincompoops by the letters behind their names on their business cards, stationery and office doors. Wouldn’t it be interesting to have a Nincompoop Olympics in which the top competitors could be gathered in a single place from across the world and entertain us with their antics. A reality television show would be nice, beaming the nincompoopery into our living rooms as we watch in rapt attention …. Oh wait, we already do that … it’s called “The Nightly News”.

Well enough about that for now. If you are a nincompoop, and I’ve offended you, please accept my apology. Remember, however, the sage observation of one Forest Gump: “Stupid is as stupid does.” If the shoe fits, wear it J

Pray for my Mom and for those who are caring for her. Ask God to protect her from nincompoops in these waning days of her life.