The T word

When I was in the 6th grade and 11 years old I had a mad crush on a classmate.  He was so cute, with dark brown hair and big brown eyes.  And low and behold--he liked me back.  Now when you are only 11 years old, it's the little things that can make or break a relationship.  For instance, one summer afternoon as a gift he brought me a small bottle of coke (remember those cute little things from the 60's) and a bag of potato chips.  Which in today's gift market is equivalent to diamond stud earrings.  I was impressed let me tell you.  It was the best gift I had ever received thus far.

We never actually did anything as a couple, other than walking the school grounds talking.  And once in a while, he'd walk me home--I lived just around the corner from the school.  I loved those innocent times.  Just us--walking and talking.  I wish I could remember our conversations, but I can't.  Not even one.  It makes me sad.  I do remember the emotions though. Puppy love at its best.  I think we made a cute couple.

One day stands out in my memory more than any of the others.  A day when he walked me home from school.  Something happened.  We were standing on the street corner talking.  I had my hand on the stop sign pole, swinging around and around--just chatting away.  When out of the corner house a woman came to her front porch and yelled at me.  It was obvious that she'd been drinking, her words were slurred as she screamed out--TRAMP get out of here and go home.  Go hang out at your own house!  I was stunned that she had yelled at me, and even though I did not know what the word tramp meant, I knew that it had to be something really horrible just by the way her mouth twisted as she yelled out the word.  I ran all the way home and when I saw my mother I began to cry.  I asked her--what does tramp mean?   She immediately wanted to know where I had heard it and who had called me that.  When I answered she was out of the house in a shot!  Down to the corner, she went.  I was scared to death--what was she going to do?  


Well, I guess she gave that woman a piece of her mind because the woman at the corner never showed her face again that I can remember.   But, one thing that I do remember was my mother's explanation to me of the word tramp.  I was shocked.  How could I at 11 years old be what that lady called me?  And right then and there I made a vow to myself that I never would be--a tramp.

Isn't it funny how one little incident, one little word can have an impact on our lives?  Because of her, I remained a virgin until my wedding day.  Because of her, I was very careful of the way others perceived me.  I did not ever want to be considered a tramp.  It was hurtful and mean what happened to me that day.  In a way, one word, the T word changed the course of my life.

I don't think about that women very often, but I do think about the words I use.  Do they hurt and tear down?  Or do they encourage and build up?  I like to think that I choose my words carefully.  At least I hope I do, I try.