Growth in Language

A popular comedian once said that language will always give away a person's ultimate knowledge and motive. One of the growth spurts I've seen is the evolution of vocabulary and language as we mature. Some of this evolution personally has often come out in cynical quips where I suggest that the whole world is just collectively taking a shit.....totally unfair mind you, and I'm working on that.

The definition of words and phrases change with time.

If you made a bad grade on your report card, lost your backpack, or God forbid stayed out past your curfew, you were going to be in "trouble". Then adult trouble comes and makes that look trivial. Then as I grew spiritually I learned that even the adult "trouble" is of little consequence and my God far too strong and loving for it. This is a lesson that I have done a real crap job of learning, but once again I'm working on that.

The letter "A" stood for a good grade in grade school, the letter "B" stood for the same in high school, and the letter "C" took on the meaning of "Thank the Lord Almighty" in college. Now the letter "E" for employed means "Thank the Lord Almighty". But then I grade and criticize if I'm earning and moving up quickly enough. Those are things that take time and patience, traits I've learned I naturally have in short supply. But I'm working on that.

Love's meaning has changed. I have "loved" vanilla ice cream, pizza, my teenage mutant ninja turtles action figures, my parents. Then I found a God's love, unconditional and pure. I found my wife's love, true, deep, honest love. I fall short of deserving God's love and try to match my wife's love; I'm not always perfect, but I'm always working on it.

For years in my growth spurts I have "loved" some phrases. "It's story time", "It's pizza night", "Snowbird said school is out today", "You got an A", "You got a raise", "You graduated." But I tell you now that they all sound so amazingly insignificant to me now.

Because now there is a 5 year old child in my life that loves me, likes me, laughs with me, because he genuinely thinks I'm a pretty cool dude. Because I've heard a child's love in a phrase. A phrase that when I hear brightens my day, no matter what is going on. The rest of the world shuts up, slows down, and I am content and smile. To be moved and understand the power in that simple phrase, that is a lesson I don't have to work on. That one I get.

"I wanna sit by Jonathan!" he exclaims. Sweet music to my ears. So simple, yet so full of love.

Thanks, Evan. I wanna sit by you too, buddy.