I'm really, really homesick.
Homesick! That's it, exactly. As a writer, finding the right word was incredibly helpful.
And that wasn't the only weekend example of the importance of each and every word. While making an outline for a talk about my faith journey, I wrote, "I attend Beth Torah." Then, automatically, I crossed that out and wrote, "I belong to Beth Torah."
There's a huge difference between attending and belonging. I know. I attended the synagogue of my youth. I never belonged there.
Words matter. Today, appreciate every word. Choose yours thoughtfully and with care. Words shape our relationships, frame our beliefs. They matter, whether you're a writer or not.
P.S. I wrote this post on 9/11, and noticed when I signed on that this is post number 911 on the CI blog. Weird. And, speaking of 9/11, if you have a chance to see the documentary, Voices from Inside the Towers, I strongly recommend it. There's a mother interviewed who is so strong, so smart. And when she talks about hearing the news that her beloved son had died, her words are heartbreakingly perfect.
Love that you used the word "homesick". I completely understand what you mean. The definition of home has changed dramatically. One of the positive ways? It's now CLEAN!
ReplyDeleteA comment from the male perspective of being an empty nester (year 2): the word for me is a phrase: "It's quiet. Too quiet." And for another, inspirational perspective on 9/11 (year 10), catch MSNBC's "Trial and Triumph: Wall Street After 9/11." It's the story of firms in WTC that rebuilt themselves while never forgetting the families of those employees who died.
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