To Hear or Not to Hear. I'm Sorry, What Was the Question?

In a few weeks my life will change. I will have the ability to hear more clearly again.  I know over the last few years that there are things I have missed, and missed out on, because the words or the intent behind them was lost to me. Remember playing Telephone as a kid? By the time the original sentence was whispered around the circle and into your ear, you usually got a watered down or particularly wacky version.  Welcome to my life. Wacked out and watered down!

The words that we hear have the ability to bring out a myriad of emotions within us.  They can build us up or they can tear us down. Words are sometimes spoken with harshness, carelessness, or derision. Words can be yelled and thrown as arrows that pierce the heart of those they are aimed at. I know there are some words that many of us wish we never heard or hope to hear again. “I’m sorry, we did all we could,” “I don’t love you anymore, I’m leaving” “You didn’t get the position you applied for,” and the list goes on and on. I know I have said things that have hurt those I love and care about.  Maybe I was angry, maybe I was being careless, or maybe I just didn’t realize the effect my words would have. 

Hopefully, more often than not, those around us are uplifted by what we say and how we say it. The words that we speak have the ability to bring a smile to someone’s face, pep in their step, and most importantly, let them know they are loved and that we care about them.  I also believe that one of the kindest things we can do for others is to listen when they have something to say.  How much better do we feel when we have something on our mind and someone takes the time and gives us the attention we need to talk our way through things? 

What do I want to be able to hear more clearly as the days and years go by? I want to hear the laughter of my children and grand-children, meaningful conversations with friends, and one-liners that are never quite as funny the second time around. I want to hear words to the National Anthem and the music to my college graduation procession.  Someday I hope to hear “I love you,” whispered in my ear and the words “for time and all eternity.” I pray that sometime I will hear, “Well done thou good and faithful servant. There is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father.” 

To those who are closest to me and who I love most dearly…….I know I have tried your patience at times, and I know there are some deep, meaningful things we may have missed out on. Know how much I love and appreciate all of you and how much I am looking forward to being more fully engaged in our conversations and the sharing of our lives. You’re going to have to find something else to laugh about besides what I think I am hearing at the end of my Telephone line.