Only Two Sentences Are Necessary

For a while when I was a pure night owl in NYC I would often watch Nikita on USA -– or somewhere –– at 2:30 in the morning.
And my favorite thing about it was that the highest level operative Michael pretty much only said 2 things in each and every situation and somehow that was enough.
I’ve had moments of trying to adopt his “only two sentences are necessary” approach to life but I’m much, much, much more chatty.
What was amazing is that he used them for almost EVERY occasion –– whether he was pulling someone from an exploding structure or consoling someone after a massacre.
And whenever the over-the-top villain was threatening him they also worked as well.
Here were his two all-purpose phrases:
“I understand.”
“It’s over.”
They’re both so incredibly versatile –– you’re not even saying you agree, just that you understand –– and it’s pretty hard to argue with the simplicity of “it’s over.”
Anyway, I’m thrilled about all that’s ahead –– yet since this is my last official night in the Magic Cottage, I feel I should write something moving and heartfelt but instead, I’m only able to look outside at my Christmas tree lights (now strung on a growing live tree) and say  to myself (sadly/sweetly/serenely):
“It’s Over”… and … “I understand.”