Shut Your Mouth

 In middle school, I had my first glimpse of self-awareness.  It was only a glimpse because I still rocked the Little House on the Prairie dress (Target would be proud), but it was notable.  I talked too much, and I knew it.  My parents will tell you I was a talker from an early age.  They had to give me talking time-outs so their ears could catch a break.  (Our kids come by it honestly.)  It never occurred to me that it was a problem, however, until middle school.  

In middle school I realized my chattiness was kind of annoying.  I also began to realize it was not endearing me to my friends' parents or my teachers.  But I had a problem - I had things to say, and I couldn't seem to stop myself from saying them.  I'd pray that God would help me not to talk.  He was either trying to teach me self-control or the people in my life patience because I never got laryngitis or the Ariel complex.

I was mildly better at listening more and talking less by high school.  But recently, I've noticed, I'm beginning to relapse.  I've also started losing my filter, which is another problem.  I remember, as a teen, thinking that old women said the worst things.  I always told myself I never wanted to be like that.  I'm fine with being old, but heaven help me, I need a sensor.  The things that come out of my mouth!  And once I start, there are no comas or periods.  I just go.  My poor friends!  Their poor ears!  

This is me, giving you permission to tell me to shut my mouth.  Unless we are related...then you just need to love me for who I am.  

And you can quote me on that.