For some reason today I was thinking about myself as a 3rd grader. It was that awkward time of life–pre-puberty, but having been around the playground a bit, I do remember thinking I knew a few things. I knew how to be cool, or so I thought. (I knew nothing of course–except all the lyrics to “I Think I Love You” and other important 3rd grader things.) I remember being on the playground with a bunch of kids and suddenly in a fit of complete madness, (or in a very lame attempt at being cool) I just let out a really juicy string of curse words. Now this might not seem that unusual to most of you reading this, but for me–a good little Mormon girl–letting out a barrage of cursing like that was a very big deal. The fact that I still remember doing it ought to tell you something. After I said it, I immediately regretted it. I’m sure I must have had a look of utter horror on my face as I braced myself for the lightning that was about to strike me down.
Interestingly enough, and the thing that sticks with me most about the event is what happened after I did it. Nothing. No one even noticed. Not one soul. Not a single one of my friends said, “Oh my, Laurie, pardon me, but wasn’t that a nasty string of words you just uttered”…nope, didn’t happen. Nobody gave a ****. I think I was hoping for a reaction, or some sort of recognition for the sin I had just committed, but it just didn’t happen. It was just playground business as usual. I felt really guilty about what I had said though and said a little prayer in my heart to God apologizing to Him for taking His name in vain along with some other pretty saucy language. I was sure I was damned and going to hell. I knew that if my mother had heard this string of cursing, the bar of Ivory Soap would have been nailed into my mouth forever. I kept the incident to myself. (Until now, that is–and Mom if you read this I know you already know that your daughter has a potty mouth at times. Especially during tennis…but that’s another story.)
Looking back on the incident, I think about what I said and it really wasn’t that bad. (See how immune to cursing I have become?) I have heard much worse out of my own kids and never once have I put a bar of soap in anyone’s mouth. (Although I have been known to tell my 19-year-old son to WATCH his language if he knows what’s good for him!) Words can be pretty powerful and there are some that definitely get their point across. Personally I don’t advocate cursing as part of our everyday conversation, but a well-timed $!!?*%!!! after a really crappy tennis shot can be very therapeutic. I suppose there is a time and place for everything, cursing included, although for my Mom’s behalf I will admit that it’s not at all lady-like. (She, along with my grandmother might be the only 2 people in all mankind that don’t swear.) I guess in this sense, I am definitely more like my old man. 
