I do not know about you but words move me, grab my heart and whirl it around, laughingly, lovingly, tearily, faithfully. I welcome how words just seem to flow together, framing them into life like an acrobat soaring across an open space. They can absolutely categorically cause you to pause, hover, hesitate, falter (once again thank goodness for a thesaurus) even stop. Be still. I know some of my friends and colleagues have said a few times that I write too much….shorten it Karen and in particular emails to people….we are not reading a novel. Hahaha..haha. I don’t think I got the memo on short speak. Oh well. But really don’t you find at times that you are bursting inside and it has to be set free? For me, l want to spit it out. Meah, not the image trying to project here; oh words can fail me at times… but hey there it is.
I discovered that I like to write narratively. And for those who like to read short and sweet, that is not me. I know the purpose of being precise. Non fiction. Only the facts. No flowers, No warm fuzzies. No additions. Delete. Time is of the essence. Yadayadayada. Maybe it is because communication is essential to me and words at times can already be so limiting which is kind of paradoxical. I like to clarify so I clarify in the clarity of more words. Hahaha. But seriously, I like the detail. And yet brevity is appropriate…I am aware of that. Certainly not in this blog but I do know it.
Like for instance, if I were on a deserted island, a story or tale, might not be befitting for the script in the sand to get help….you know SOS! Mayday! Hello. Down here!! Not so much. Or taking in the movie The Hunt for Red October 1990 when the American captain was doing morse code to the other submarine….making a joke saying, “My Morse is so rusty, I could be sending him dimensions on playmate of the month“. Yeah I have seen that movie a few times. And the one which takes a way any words, one’s breath even, takes the stuffing out of you really… the loss of a loved one. No words can convey. None.
Of course on the other hand, a picture is worth a thousand words! Yes. But. I believe this to be true in many instances as I love photography and artwork. No words needed. But, when you add words is not a richness felt too?? Stirs you. Melts you, Rips and tears you. Comforts you. Tears befall you. Catches the funny bone. Yeah?
Just recently I met a person on-line who is very adept at writing (in my mind), goes beyond the science to the art of it, if you will. He seems to have a pen that is so so mightier than the sword at least to me. Mother Teresa was quoted as saying, ““I am a little pencil in God’s hands. He does the thinking. He does the writing. He does everything and sometimes it is really hard because it is a broken pencil and He has to sharpen it a little more.” Not sure this person would consider himself in that way but God works in us in ways that we cannot possibly ignore I believe. It is a gift when one can write (or any talent for that matter) and should be shared like a lamp not hidden under a basket (Mt5:15).
But then I got to thinking of my many mentors who have impacted me whether recently or in the past. These authors (face to face, printed, virtual) whomever and wherever you are, that have said or quoted something or other and I have taken it like a thief in the night (no no no…not plagiarism for goodness sake! Referenced always. Please, as if I would do that. Educator here…oops. AQ bugaboo… that’s for another day) but walked with, bits and pieces gathered and held dearly, over time.
Nuggets or little pearls of wisdom found in the lettered words from everywhere and anywhere words can be found. Oh, it gives me goosebumps just thinking of them. Imagine being in a netted cage swimming in a sea of those colourful plastic balls…you know like at MacDonalds or here on the island, at the trampoline place in Slemon Park. Oops, maybe not that image…germs, boggers, COVID-19. How can I forget? Erase. Ahhhhh!!!!! Maybe think of Frozen II instead with Elsa as she sings Into the Unknown. At the end of song, she is surrounded by the glitter and swirl of sparkly icicle shapes. Yes that is better thought here.
But quotes of words do not have to come from someone famous or well known to be significant, worthy, to be valued, held dearly. I can think of so so many conversations with friends and family at different times in my life and circumstances that made me pause. wonder. hopeful. heal. love. thankful. Yes, very grateful. My grandfather for one, bless his soul. was one who inspired me, taught me, gave me much. Thanks gump.
The black and white marks, or some facsimile thereof in the realm of techno wizardry of our time, give witness to a moment captured, held, rested, in an inspiring manner of own choosing from words put together. It seems really odd that words can have such powerful awesomeness. I come back to Scripture and how God comes to us and we are open to Him. The Word made flesh. But the Word does not always seem clear until it becomes clear, ready to hear it. I can read and sit with a passage twenty times or more and not get what is being said or heard. But in a single wisp of an instant, a seed of clarity, comes in. Woohoo. The Word grows as I grow and mature (well let’s not get too smug here Karen). Let just say I live life and experience it which could lead to me being more open to hearing and getting the message a bit more. Yes, let me say that.
So who? what? when? why? where? how? Those single word questions that really are huge. Brevity in the largeness. A landscape begins, a freight train sort of rushing across my mind, whipping…. names places circumstances reasons times – at a Mock-5 pace. Whew!!
Right now I want to thank those who have been able to articulate and express their thoughts in a way that I cannot or have not to date. Remember that sometimes words fail. So what does a good teacher in me do…well I took, pulled, scanned, jotted, sorted, tucked, held, recorded, squirrelled away, in this instance quotes from others, for another day. Hahaha. Because they have touched me so deeply that it is or has been hard to breathe, not gasping per se but with an awe and wonder. Becoming human. Becoming aware of who and what I am. Hopefully, a better version of self. And hey I am a work in progress. God is not finished with me. And He needs help…with me. Just saying.
So here are some anecdotal quotes that a friend has shared with me recently, quotes from survey done in US…. out of the mouths of babes. And so I become more human today as I read these thoughts.
HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK? “Tell your wife that she looks pretty even if she looks like a truck.” (Ricky, age 10) SOME SURE-FIRE WAYS TO MAKE A PERSON FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU “Tell them that you own a whole bunch of candy stores.” (Del, age 6) “Shake your hips and hope for the best.” (Camille, age 9) “One way is to take the girl out to eat. Make sure it’s something she likes to eat. French fries usually works for me.” (Bart, age 9) IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED? “It’s better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.” (Anita, age 9) (shared by Lukie P.)
Blessings.
Let us pray for those who are in need of our prayers.
Karenpondering 