I realise that after a time, it becomes disgusting to repeat the story of my life. So it's true that I've had an unconventional way of doing things and every stranger who comes along and listens to it finds it 'interesting' but I start to wonder if it is that special after all. What does it matter to them anyway—it is not as if they were there every step of the way experiencing the same emotions and angst and difficulties of another man's life. What makes us so important, I think, is because we cannot see and feel past ourselves. That is why we can still be proud of who we are despite our failures and eccentricities and humiliating ways, and judge others as losers or misfits by that very measure. Holden Caulfield, if only you knew what a hero you are.
"If you want to know the truth, I don't know what I think about it. I'm sorry I told so many people about it. About all I know is, I sort of miss everybody I told about. Even old Stradlater and Ackley, for instance. I think I even miss that goddam Maurice. It's funny. Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody."
—J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye
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