Words

Words.
Powerful.
Words span decades, making an impact.
Crafting sentences carefully together to create beautiful works of art.
Art we have memorized.

"I dreamt I went to Manderley again."
"To be or not to be. That is the question."
"For God so loved the world He gave His one and only son."

Imagination.
Words can take us to another world helping us forget our circumstances for just a brief moment.
Symbolism.
Grammar.
Spelling.
Recitation.
Poems.
Prose.
Words can teach us life lessons. Make us laugh.  Make us cry.  Inspire us to action.

Yet words can have a negative impact and cut deep.
Deep into our souls.
Wounding.
Creating wounds that linger.
That never forget.

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me."
-a rhyme we heard as young children.  Contrary to this, I have learned names/words do hurt us. 

I am guilty of saying things I regret.  At times I have not sought forgiveness. And at times I have.  Words of healing. But still. The words are out there and cannot be taken back.
Sometimes we never know the impact of the words that come out of our mouths.  Something said in jest can encourage a stranger or can cause pain to a friend.

Let us be mindful of the words forming in our minds.  As they exit our mouth may they be the ones that encourage, inspire and not tear down.

Words.
Powerful.
Beautiful.
Timeless.
Created from the letters of the alphabet.
ABC.

"SWEET" Friends!

Once again, Carmi over at Written Inc. has come up with a creative theme for the week: "SWEET!"

I had many SWEET moments Wednesday night at two different Christmas Dinners I attended! The first dinner was for Durham Hospice, a wonderful organization where I volunteer. It provides palliative care and bereavement services to individuals and families. I unexpectedly saw an old friend there. We counselled at summer camp together many moons ago! She recently lost her 5 year old son to cancer but is turning this tragedy into something positive: helping to build a hospice in her hometown. A SWEET MOMENT!

(Durham Hospice Christmas Banquet, Whitecliffe Terrace, Courtice, Nov. 26, 2008)

I had to leave the Hospice dinner early to head on over to my "Girl's Night Out" Christmas dinner at Joy Lynn's. My first stop was the candy dish. I confess I have a SWEET tooth. My mouth filled with numerous white and silver cavities tell the whole story!

The only pic I have of Deb B., one of my SWEET friends at the party!

Joy Lynn's SWEET girls fighting sleep. They wanted to stay up with us "big girls" all night partying! You remember don't you when you were their age? Quietly sneaking to the top of the stairs to secretly listen in on the adult conversation taking place downstairs? Trying every trick of the trade to stay up late, desperately hoping your parents would invite you to join the party? Finally giving up hope and climbing back into bed falling asleep in an instant?

Ah SWEET moments of childhood!

SWEET food , of course!

The only pic I have of SWEET Terri. Some of my friends are a wee bit camera shy!

SWEET Jenn

SWEET Deb. S.

Joy Lynn, our SWEET hostess!
A SWEET night out.