I’ve got a painful secret.

One I’ve never shared in public before.

But it’s something that’s affected me my whole life.

You see, I grew up in a family of smart alecks – people who were quick with a sarcastic comment or cutting remark. My older brother was especially quick-witted. You could never catch him without something clever to say – and he always managed to get the last word.

Being the middle child, I grew up trying to placate everyone, make everyone happy and keep the peace. So without realizing it, and without meaning to, I became a smart aleck myself.

By my early 20’s, I had become like the other members of my family – quick to point out someone else’s flaws or say something smart-alecky.

Gee, do ya think I had a lot of friends? (That would be, no.)