Words are how we communicate with each other, at least in the virtual world where body language and voice inflection can't setup camp and make their presence known. Of course, we do have those cute little smiley creatures known to some as emoticons, but they can only express so much. What happens when you run out of things to say? When your muse takes an extended sabbatical and leaves you frustrated beyond belief, how do you express that to everyone around you that has been eagerly waiting for the next little update on your life / tech news / underwater basket weaving technique?

The Call

It has been about 2 months since I was seriously writing and posting entries every day. Since then it has been a little spurt here and there, just enough to add a drop of water to a parched mouth in the desert. Just enough to let everyone know when something important happened, no more, no less. Around that same time I got a call from one of my best friends. Unfortunately I missed the call but he was gracious enough to leave me a message, or so I thought. A few hours later, when my phone decided it wanted to finally allow the message to be delivered (note to self - don't drop your phone in a cup of soda...bad juju) I could hear the worry on the other end.

The Wish

I wish I could say that I called him back right then and helped him through his situation, but I didn't. I wish I could say that he could count on me to be there when he calls with an emergency, but I can't. I wish...there is so much I wish I could say, but the words escape me as they have been doing for the past couple of months. Apparently wishing doesn't have any effect what so ever on a muse of any kind, otherwise mine would have been back with an army behind her.

The Past

During the past few months we have had a lot going on. My wife is pregnant and that is going well, but all around us things were crumbling down as if it were a giant sand castle during high tide. Another one of our friends had their baby and many complications followed which they are still dealing with today. My wife's teacher just lost her son to cancer, he had just turned 1 and never been allowed to leave the hospital and go home. Still another friend was diagnosed with Leukemia and is not doing so well. I don't mean to sound morbid here, but when Tony called and left me a message, it just added to the downward spiral.

The Opportunity

As I was listening to the message of what was going on everything started falling down. I didn't know what to say, but Tony gave me the perfect option to do something I knew I could do. He asked if I would pray. When it comes to prayer it seems like I am never short on words, so pray I did. For him, for his family, for everyone I could think of. I pretty much prayed for two straight weeks before I was able to give him a call back.

The Calling

After I talked with him he extended me the offer to guest post on his blog. To be quite honest, I was rather intimidated and didn't know if I would have anything to say, but graciously accepted the offer. You see, while I have had nothing to say, Tony has been talking quite a bit and from what I understand has really beefed up his blog as well as his voice. It was like throwing a novice speech writer into a presidential campaign, slapping him on the back and yelling "let's show 'em what you got" as he walked away with quivering legs.

The Grace

So, here is what I got. Sometimes when words escape us, that is ok, because when a friend really needs us, I mean REALLY needs us, most of the time, they just need our presence. We don't have to say anything because just being there speaks volumes that echo throughout eternity. Sometimes when words escape us, it is ok, because words aren't exactly needed in every situation. Sometimes, just maybe, when words escape us, all we need to do is pray.

~Sal


Message from Tony:

Sal is one of the bloggers that has actually become a good friend to me - hey, we even talk on the phone...now that I think about it, he didn't even tell me the sex of his new baby, but teased me with his blog at Everyday Thoughts From Life. I guess he's still a good guy. In all seriousness I'm proud to have him as a guest blogger and even more proud to call him my friend.
 
All I'm go going to say about the next blogger is that the post is going to be Badass.