Family Phrases

A variety across the spectrum from any source: a made up jingle, a literary quote, a fond saying of Great-aunt Gertrude. Those few words that appear to validate, or encourage, or terminate. They are recognized and counted on for all immediate family to know and recognize. I know of only one universal group that may be handed mostly to women, maybe along with a new baby. “We’ll see.” Three words, or a contraction and one word, that are suitable to a vast amount of situations. “Can I have three friends to spend the night?” “We’ll see.” “Honey, are we going to my mother’s for Sunday lunch?” “We’ll see.” Nothing has been denied, yet nothing has been promised.

I was raised with my mother’s, “We’ll manage.” Translated that meant she would readjust or think of a new way, or just tighten her belt and march on until an outcome was reached. The phrases are usually like a secret sign only to those in the know. One for our family was “When” used to denote the right amount had been reached. A thirteen year old watched a British waiter pour chocolate sauce over profiteroles and at an appropriate moment said the magic word. Nothing happened. Repeated a little louder and tried to make eye contact. Still a stream of liquid. I put out a hand and said, “No more, please.” Some of you readers stood in front of a grandfather at the ranch and heard an authoritative voice declare. “Always leave gates like you found them.” As adults seated at a barn wedding for a next generation, you nervously checked with each other as a bagpipe and groomsmen in kilts piped their way through a gate across the field. Who would get up to carry out the edict? Thankfully the last man was one who knew what to do. Maybe our favorite is the thought of an Amelia Bedelia who comes back from an adventure amazingly in time to rescue whatever is in the oven. “Just right, said Amelia Bedilia!” We made everything work, one more time.

Did this lead to a variety of family discussions? Who always said what and what did that phrase mean? How did those words identity the fabric of your family? Two more, while maybe not the universality of “We’ll see,” are still a family’s way to summarize a conclusion of life and to offer awareness that what has been given is beyond us. The first comes at that moment when for whatever reason we are in the midst of knowing that around us ” all nature sings the music of the spheres.” “Alleluia!‘ Alphabetically, the other can be as common as the ending to a blessing for food or as breathless as the conclusion of pulling in a driveway after a long trip home. “Amen!”

After all these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven saying “Alleluia”

Revelation 19:1

For all the promises of God in Him are yea and in hIm “Amen” to the glory of God by us.

2 Corinthians 1:20