THE POSITIVE EFFCTS OF SIMPLE LANGUAGE

By Sean Byrne

A few days ago, I came across a woman whom I know vaguely and had recently buried her husband. I instantaneously made my way towards her and sympathised with her for her loss.

Her reply floored me: "Thank you very much, much appreciated and may God Bless You". It made my day.

I relayed this story to my uncle who shared another experience he had with me. Going on a brief visiting trip to a house on a summer evening a number of years ago he passed an oldish man who  looked a bit vulnerable. Having completed the journey, on his return trip he found the man lying in the ditch beside the road. He stopped immediately to give assistance.  The man was practically asleep and fairly intoxicated. With the assistance of another person they got him standing and into the back of his car. Finding his home was another challenge but eventually they found a house which he thought was his. Again with a lot of assistance they got him to the front door, as they said their farewells he retorted: "May ye both be in Heaven a week before the devil knows you're dead".

What a power language plays in conveying powerful images of life! It

brings to life the words of St Francis of Assisi "it is in giving that we receive."

May we always have the gift of language to mold our life memories which in turn make a vital part of our make up.