The Wrong Words

There's no way to always get the words right. Sometimes we get the words jumbled and it is hilariously wrong. (A major journalist recently wrote that the thousands of Northwest Airline pilots "who are smaller", prefer a merger deal based on that fact. The writer intended to write smaller in number.)

Other times, when it counts the most, when the future hinges on what we say, we fumble horribly and life takes another turn.  (After college I sent out letters for jobs to the top places I wanted to work, mentioning my attention to detail and spelled my major, Mathematics, wrong - I forgot the "e".) 

Other times, and it is perhaps the worst, we are silent when we should have spoken. (Back in Junior High, I didn't say something. I regretted it for years. I finally admitted it recently to my dear friend - luckily for me, her heart was gracious and it made us even better friends.)

But this week, I got the words all wrong. When it comes to words, there is no eraser in life. What is said is said. I guess trying to say it right, is better than lying to avoid a wrong. I did try to say it right. The person is really a hero to me, deep down the core of my heart kind of hero. But something went all wrong.  He was angry, with even my compliments.

So I'm keeping it short today, I'm not on a roll this week.   I hope that even when we sometimes say it wrong, that somehow the person knows the deepest intent of our heart is nothing short of love and friendship, despite our dramatically awful verbal fumbles. Words are harder than they look.

Comments

[Ky Woman]

Yes, yes they are. The worst are the ones spoken in anger, without thought to the damage that will live forever in the mind. The old adage "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" is hooey! Used with kindness, thoughtfulness and love, words can also work miracles to mend broken hearts.
Pretty powerful things, words....

And I know your heart is good. ;-)

[Chris H.]

Well said! We've all been in that spot. Sometimes, it's out of what we smugly believe to be "justified anger", and sometimes, even things said with the best of intentions are taken in a completely unexpected way. All we can do is make honest amends as sincerely and humbly as possible, and that (usually!) works wonders. None of us are perfect! Take that next right step, and keep moving forward ;) And yay for math majors - we rule!