When the words don't come

Whether it’s what to write on a condolence card or a five letter word for ‘fracas’ to complete a crossword puzzle, we all occasionally struggle to find the right word. Stressful times impede the mental search for that illusive phrase that would be a great response.  Aging contributes to that ‘now what was his name? I can picture his face…’ memory game.  When we realize we are playing that game more and more, we worry about what that might mean.

Our commercial, fast paced, and electronic society shorthand us out of the connections made through thoughtful wording. Often my illegible handwritten missives begin with ‘Just a note to say…’ which automatically define them as brief. A reply feature makes it easy in our emails and texts to share LOL and J or L feelings. We peruse the greeting card aisle for just the right picture on the outside and tone on the inside, and often pay a little more to not have to write anything except our name because the card says it better than we could. We let others ‘speak’ for us and I fear we are losing the subtleties of well-crafted sentences.

I’m told that my mother’s father was a great letter writer and his notes often included poems appropriate to the recipient. I have only a few examples. But who’s got the time these days when it is much easier to post something on Facebook, a blog, or a tweet? Well, if the thoughts don’t flow, or a particular sentence doesn’t come together, or the right words don’t come, it doesn’t matter what the method of communication.

It amazes me that each week something strikes me as an idea for a musing; it’s a rare week when the concept just isn’t there. More common is the struggle to put one sensible word after another and to find the proper spin that reflects what I want to say. But as long as ideas come along I’ll keep encouraging my brain to strain for that right word, except for the next month or so. Apologies to those who have indicated they look forward to the Monday musing notice in their inbox, but I’m taking a short break. I will resume musing in October and look forward to hearing from you in the interim. And, should you face an instance where the right word is on the tip of your tongue, remember the words of Mark Twain who said, “The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.”

Marilyn