I have an acquaintance – certainly not a friend and I would never call her a relative – who is one of the oddest people I have ever encountered. A 69 year old former elementary school teacher, this woman has no affect. Her mode of dress is mid-80s granola-eating hippie unchic. She still uses film in her camera, vigorously decrying the evils of digital progress. In a family that revels in food, drink, noise and hugs, she is the odd person out, sitting on the edges of conversation with little interest in contributing to the tsunami of conversations. Not because no one is interested in her but because she chooses not to engage. Apparently, we aren’t worth the effort. She’s a deliberate outsider with…

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