As a writer I have come to appreciate many great things. I especially love
being able to express myself through the written word. There is just so
much you can convey to others when you sit down and think about what you want to
write. Thankfully that is a gift I have not had to sacrifice (except
during the occasional computer failure). During this week, however, I have
had to go without the ability to speak because I came down with several things
including laryngitis. Imagine going to the drive-through pharmacy and they
can’t understand your name to get your prescription. I had to go get my
twelve year old daughter and have her talk into the microphone just so I could
get my medicine. We needed some things at the grocery store and I had to
have her ask the clerk where to find something and then do all the talking at
the checkout. It would have been easier if they had asked questions
that could be answered with “Yes” or “No”. Instead, they asked things
like, “Will this be paper or plastic?” I pointed at one but they didn’t
get it. Fortunately my daughter knew the answer. Then they asked,
“How did you want to pay for this?” I held up my check-card and the lady
asked, “Credit or debit?” Oh man! I started making the swiping
gesture. She just said, “Yes, I know you want to swipe it but how do
you want it processed?” Next I made the words with my mouth but she still
couldn’t understand me. Fortunately, my daughter stepped in. “He
said he wants to use it as credit and have it put in paper bags. Also, we
could use some help out to the car with our purchase.” What a
godsend! I patted her on the head and then hugged her. She thought
nothing of it and calmly led the clerk after the transaction to our car where
she told me to get in and she would tell him where everything went. I
could not have made it without her. My love is writing but I have
sure missed talking this week. My wife finds it a refreshing silence from
my incessant rambling. With my birthday last Tuesday, family called and
could not understand me on the phone. I was shouting and they kept asking,
“What?” It was like one of those commercials for the cellular carrier when
they would ask, “Can you hear me now?” What is hardest of all this is that
I need to rest my voice so my throat can heal. That is one tall
order. Imagine communicating with others without speaking. I have a
new found respect for deaf/mutes It’s as though I am speaking
another language except I’m not speaking. This has gone on for nearly a
week and I for one am more than ready to have it end.
being able to express myself through the written word. There is just so
much you can convey to others when you sit down and think about what you want to
write. Thankfully that is a gift I have not had to sacrifice (except
during the occasional computer failure). During this week, however, I have
had to go without the ability to speak because I came down with several things
including laryngitis. Imagine going to the drive-through pharmacy and they
can’t understand your name to get your prescription. I had to go get my
twelve year old daughter and have her talk into the microphone just so I could
get my medicine. We needed some things at the grocery store and I had to
have her ask the clerk where to find something and then do all the talking at
the checkout. It would have been easier if they had asked questions
that could be answered with “Yes” or “No”. Instead, they asked things
like, “Will this be paper or plastic?” I pointed at one but they didn’t
get it. Fortunately my daughter knew the answer. Then they asked,
“How did you want to pay for this?” I held up my check-card and the lady
asked, “Credit or debit?” Oh man! I started making the swiping
gesture. She just said, “Yes, I know you want to swipe it but how do
you want it processed?” Next I made the words with my mouth but she still
couldn’t understand me. Fortunately, my daughter stepped in. “He
said he wants to use it as credit and have it put in paper bags. Also, we
could use some help out to the car with our purchase.” What a
godsend! I patted her on the head and then hugged her. She thought
nothing of it and calmly led the clerk after the transaction to our car where
she told me to get in and she would tell him where everything went. I
could not have made it without her. My love is writing but I have
sure missed talking this week. My wife finds it a refreshing silence from
my incessant rambling. With my birthday last Tuesday, family called and
could not understand me on the phone. I was shouting and they kept asking,
“What?” It was like one of those commercials for the cellular carrier when
they would ask, “Can you hear me now?” What is hardest of all this is that
I need to rest my voice so my throat can heal. That is one tall
order. Imagine communicating with others without speaking. I have a
new found respect for deaf/mutes It’s as though I am speaking
another language except I’m not speaking. This has gone on for nearly a
week and I for one am more than ready to have it end.
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