Words, words, words

From the title of this blog you have probably determined that I like words! I enjoy word games like crossword puzzles, word-association games, jumbled words, etc. I even use a parallel Bible which contains 4 translations - just so I can compare the words. Unfortunately, I don't really have the level of vocabulary necessary to be considered a good Scrabble player. I am a firm believer that all players should be able to use a dictionary during play. All in the name of furthering education, I say!


Words aren't always fun, though. I'll be the first to admit that I have misused words, had to "eat" my words, apologize for my words, stand by my words, and pay the consequences for my words.


I was brought up in the "Sticks and stones..." mentality. For those too young to know this adage it goes as follows... "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." It's wrong. Two little words - I hope you didn't miss them. Just in case, here it is again. It's wrong! People can and do heal from sticks and stones. Wounds from words, however, rarely heal completely. Handy weapons that cause maximum damage. I have a cousin who has spent much of her life in pain from a lack of words. She's waited years and years to hear the words "I love you" from her father. Unfortunately, my uncle communicates more by what he does than what he says. They're both saying the same thing - unfortunately in different "languages."



I love watching what people do with words. Who can forget Bill Clinton questioning "what the meaning of is, is." That one's hard to top. Then there was my (then) 17-yr old son telling me of a new student in school. Her parents were mercenaries. Huh? Did you just do a double-take? I sure did. So did my son when he saw the look on my face. Oops...seems he meant they were missionaries!

That aside, some will say what you want to hear but never follow through in action. Many withhold words but let their actions speak for them. Some people feel there are far too many words - they tangle themselves up in them. Others feel there can never be enough words - each nuance has to have an associated word.

Scholars study words, word parts, prefixes, suffixes, variations, etc. The storyteller paints pictures with words. Beautiful, comforting, frightening - they find the words to express it all. Pastors save. Salesmen sell. Writers write. Orators speak. All live and die by words. Partnerships, friendships, marriages, relationships, too.


Further, words are used to make commitments...or avoid them (just ask any lawyer). They convince and deter. With overuse they become cliche.' Underuse - archaic.

Aah...words.

I've had the joy of experiencing first words from my 5 children, and now my grandson, as well as vows exchanged between my daughter and son-in-law. I've also experienced the pain of hearing the doctor say "there is no hope" and thus, trying frantically to remember my mother's last words. Who knew they would be the last?

I've used words to appease but not promise. Words to assure, reassure and console. Words to get out of trouble and yes, sometimes, even into trouble. I've had trouble choosing the "right" words, many times been at a loss for words. Occasionally frustrated when I find that "there just are no words."


So, with all of that said and much, much more left unsaid, it only seems appropriate to just say...g'night! (is that even a word?!?)