Voiceless

Once in a great while I lose my voice. I'm not referring to a scratchy voice or even a quiet one. I mean it's just gone. When I try to speak, air comes out. Not even a squeal or squeak emits from my throat. That's my condition today. Waldo could still hear my whispers as I stayed home from work to try to rest and get rid of the cold in my throat, but I didn't bother to answer the phone. What good would it have done?

At times like this I realize how much I use my voice without thinking about it. This evening it didn't matter if my husband sat in his recliner nearby or a room upstairs because he couldn't hear me in either place. I had to face him and whisper slowly so he could read my lips. I couldn't scold the dog when he grabbed my package of cough drops. I couldn't sing along with my favorite ads. I couldn't curse or even mutter when we lost our internet connection tonight and I had to troubleshoot.

When we lose electricity, I know we can stumble along, especially in the winter when the wood stove works for heat and cooking, and even the food in the freezer can be rescued with snow packed in coolers. When I lose my ability to use a body function that's significant to my normal daily life, that's when I really recognize its value. I'll have a challenging day tomorrow as I return to the classroom because I'll want to speak but I'll only be able to whisper...or use a little whistle I keep in my purse...and I'm hoping the kids will be kind to me. Perhaps the ones who have had The Cold this fall will feel some empathy and my day will be well, if silently, spent.