This is a tale of two \u201cs\u201d words.\u00a0 The first one occurred in first grade.\u00a0 On classmates\u2019 birthdays, our teacher would make a big birthday card out of construction paper which we would all sign throughout the day.\u00a0 As one particular card was getting passed around, someone had written the \u201cs\u201d word in brown crayon.\u00a0 When my classmate handed me the card, she pointed at the word and giggled.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t really know what the word meant (though I think the brown crayon was a clue), but not wanting to appear ignorant, I laughed as well.\u00a0 My teacher saw us giggling and apprehended the birthday card, and exclaimed, \u201cChristine, I am surprised at you!\u00a0 That you would even know such a word, as a pastor\u2019s daughter!\u201d Hot shame flushed my cheeks and left me wondering, \u201cWhat kind of a pastor\u2019s daughter was<\/em> I?\u201d<\/p>\n

Fast forward to sixth grade, when I very much knew that word and many other cuss words.\u00a0 Playing HORSE on the basketball court with two classmates, I missed my shot,\u00a0 and let the \u201cs\u201d word fly.\u00a0 My teacher overheard and asked, \u201cChristine, did you say what I thought you said?\u201d\u00a0 Mortified, I shook my head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afraid you did,\u201d he responded soberly.\u00a0 My classmates were waiting for him to tell my dad, and I was dreading the inevitable shame and humiliation of the drama that was sure to unfold. \u00a0 But it never came.\u00a0 As far as I know, my teacher never told my parents.\u00a0 I\u2019d like to tell you that I never swore again, but that would be a lie.\u00a0 All I can say is, in that moment, I was both profoundly sorry and later profoundly grateful to my teacher.\u00a0 (Shout out to Mr. Willms!)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Same stuff, <\/em>different day.<\/p>\n