Involuntary Vow of Silence

If you haven't been following my blog, you would have no idea that I can't currently speak.

I have laryngitis, thanks to a splendid chest cold that managed to inflame my vocal cords at the most opportune time!

All weekend, I laid low, I turned down social invites, I tried not to speak, all because tomorrow, Tuesday, I have to give a talk. A major one, one of the only presentations it is my job to give during the entire year. (It's not like I'm in demand as a speaker!)

But all to no avail. I have no voice. When I speak...even I can't listen.

So it is. This morning I was miserable, felt awful after a long night of interrupted sleep, wishing I hadn't woken up with my lung next to me on the pillow.

Betraying vocal chords...should have been more vigilant!

I went to work late this morning, realizing I had to take time off, but really needing to be there today to deal with a few things. It involved a couple phone calls, sign language to my boss, and nodding and smiling to my co-workers.

A few years ago, I read a story about some Trappist nuns, who had to develop their own sign language to make up for their vow of silence; with a lack of verbal language, communication does not stop, but becomes more precise.

Today, I found that to be true.

In the past, I had a friend who was deaf and so I learned some Sign Language from her. Although in the times since that I've used it, instead of wishing someone a good day, I told them to have a hamburger.

And today, when trying to say "Thank You" to a co-worker, I think I might have called her "Mother".

Ah, well, maybe tomorrow will be better...
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