Aphasia is a new word for me. But after my dad’s stroke two and a half years ago, I know something of its heavy burden. I cannot imagine this huge shift in life; from high extrovert engaging strangers on the tram, telling stories, sharing puns and jokes, a linguist speaking multiple languages, a bible translator teaching others what he has learned from scripture, and now struggling to communicate. He begins a thought and the idea dissipates. I see in his eyes that it drifts away. He starts the sentence again hoping the thought will return, but it is gone. My frustration and sadness is nothing compared to his, I’m sure. It is the cruelest of all crosses to bear.

But this piece goes beyond one person’s aphasia. Our country is grappling with its own version of it. It seems we can no longer communicate. When one person says what they think, another person hears something different. They hear only what they think was said. We are not trying to understand each other. Maybe we don’t want to know, or are so distracted we can’t hear. This is happening in our families, communities, work places, and our government. Perhaps we only listen if we agree, and dismiss those we don’t agree with as foolish, or worse. We are hearing and responding to distortions of thought.

When someone says, ”I think,” I don’t have to agree but I must try to understand. I need to take time, listen, interact, ask for clarification, question, grapple. And I must pause to be grateful for the ability to say these words, as I know I cannot expect to always say them easily.

Crossed Conversation