The saga of a website on strike continues. This is not for a lack of attention from my computer guru, John. He has worked late into the night on several occasions trying to appease the faceless forces of Square Space. 

 

There is irony in the fact that I am apparently able to send emails from my caringformarriage.org address, but not to receive them. Listening has always been a priority for me, and yet in this arena I am rendered deaf. Several of my subscriptions, such as Daily Inspiration have given up in a huff and turned on their heels. If I am not going to play nicely they will take their pithy messages elsewhere. 

 

There is a conversation that is stuck on repeat in my head. But really "conversation" is a misnomer. I am doing all the talking between my ears, rendering those organs which are by design ready to capture another person's musings, irrelevant. All the words clogging my thinking are mine. 

 

What a pity. 

 

I notice that we humans are more gregarious than your average quadruped. While scientists are discovering the capacity for elephants to speak within their social groups, and mother bears to impart verbal warnings to their cubs, there is more time allowed for quiet than shows up in a collection of people. Libraries and church notwithstanding. 

 

One of the songs I sing in the preschool is accompanied by sign language. How Much is that Doggy in the Window? is a darling chance to learn a few of the hand motions that convey meaning to those people whose eyes work better than their cochleas. It is a small sample of the wide range of possibilities available to people who are as proficient as my middle daughter at ASL, but it's a start. 

 

Being unable to welcome another person's words is indeed a handicap. And yet, there are those magical communications that transpire without any sound at all.