My dictionary defines words as being “linguistic forms that can be spoken; a mere sequence of sounds or letters and communication.” Those definitions are okay, I guess, but the truth is that “words” are more powerful than that.
Words can begin a friendship or end one. They can renew old relationships. Words can encourage or discourage, bring hope or despair, faith or unbelief. But the right one to use at the right moment is oftentimes just not there when we need it. She is a good friend, a loving wife and mother who always has the time to help anyone in time of need. a malignant growth which started small, has taken over her body. What words can we say that will help?
Or how about the middle aged man, living in the beautiful home he and his wife created together. Only now he lives there alone. His wife lives in a nursing home and doesn’t even know who he is! What words can we use to help him? Are there any?
Remember that childhood limerick: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” What a falsehood that is! Words can hurt. They can even kill. Are there any one of us who wouldn’t give just about anything if some of our own words could be erased from the hearts of friends or loved ones?
My daughter picked up the phone one day. It was a wrong number. After listening to the apology on the other end of the line, I heard my daughter say, “That’s okay, I liked talking to you.” You know, those words could have brightened the day for the unknown caller, couldn’t they?
I read somewhere that every word we hear, experience or say, is stored somewhere in our tiny brains. If that is so, then shouldn’t we begin now to make our words more often helpful than hurting, more loving than biting, more sympathetic than unfeeling? I’ll try, will you?
GramMa's Thoughts 