As a college sophomore, I wanted to be an exchange student. England seemed like an exciting option. Mom dissuaded me by telling me England didn’t have central heat and I wouldn’t be comfortable. I didn’t understand exactly what that meant, “no central heat”, but I understood Mom was saying I couldn’t go. Given my life experiences since then, that little bit of discomfort, if it had in fact been the truth, would have prepared me for my life.
