Southern Talk

"Bless his/her/your/their heart".  I love this phrase.  It is an all-encompassing phrase and is the southern woman's dagger sheathed in satin.  Context is absolutely critical to the use of this phrase.  For instance, while discussing the bad luck of a neighbor the phrase implies a true feeling of regret for the neighbor's difficulties.  But, when applied to someone who has done or said something really idiotic then the seemingly innocuous phrase takes on a tone that can only be described as lethal.  "Bless her heart.  I know she meant well, but did you see how short that dress was?  You could see all the way downtown!"  "Bless his heart, he can't help it.  He's had no raisin'. "  "Bless their hearts, they try so hard, but well, they can't help it that they were born into that family.  It does seem that they would learn from their mistakes but I guess not.  Bless their hearts." 

Beware of southern women who bless your heart.  They may have something else entirely in mind for your heart.

Living in the South

I am not a southerner by birth.  I was born north of the Mason-Dixon line and even though I have lived in the south for 25 years I am still not Southern.  That being said, there is much about Southern living that I love.  Last Friday was a case in point.  My community is small and rural.  People here care for one another for the most part.  When a family is in trouble, either health or disaster such as fire, people pitch in and help.  Thus Jack and I found ourselves at a small local church at a spaghetti dinner.  The proceeds of the dinner were to go to a person who has cancer.  I think the cancer patient is a member of this church or perhaps his family is.   Jack's singing group was also going to perform after the dinner.  We don't know the cancer patient and in fact didn't know very many people in the crowd.  When we talked to others in attendance, they didn't know the patient either.  Nevertheless, the response was overwhelming.  The fellowship hall was packed as was the sanctuary.  Later we heard that over $4,000.00 had been collected.  $4,000.00 from a community that has an unemployment rate of over 9%.  $4,000.00 from a community of farmers and blue collar workers and retirees. 

Perhaps this kind of outpooring of kindness happens in large cities, but considering the anonymity of cities I doubt it.  There is much I rail against here in the south, but I don't think anywhere can be beat for kindness to others.  I have learned to keep the ingredients for casseroles and pound cakes on hand just in case there is a need.  I love being included in the giving of food or cards or phone calls to lift some one's spirit.  While I will never be considered  Southern, I am happy that I have learned the art of southern kindness.