Talk to Me Tuesday presents “Living in a Small Community.”

It’s true. The part about the rumor mill running well on schedule.

My honey of 33 married years ran into someone we know today. This person said she just HAD to ask him a question, HAD to know if it was true.

“Is Angie pregnant?”

At first, flabbergasted, my honey thought it was my youngest brother and his wife, since this is true for them. But no, the acquaintance was sure it was me.

Pregnant at 55 (and a half). Now ladies my age, what are the chances that you can get pregnant? I mean there might be a small tiny itsy bitsy chance that you could get pregnant. Minuscule. Having reached the age of hot flashes and the Big “M,”  to mention other circumstances, my getting pregnant is impossible (times 3).

When my honey came home and told me he had something to share, this was not even on the horizon. Not an inkling of pregnancy gossip floated through my mind. Lots of other gossip fodder about our personal lives are making the rounds, but preparing for a newborn. Nope. Though I adored being pregnant and having precious babies, this body is retired from fecundity.

Then again, I could say yes and ask for a baby shower. That would be fun! I would ask for gift cards and dark chocolate treats, maybe a very funny game to play.

Seriously people. Judging from personal experiences and everything I’ve ever read about small communities, gossip (true and false) travels from lips to ears in the blink of an eye. If I were one of those tricksy people, I could have lots of fun with this.

Alas. I. Am. Not. Pregnant.

There are plenty of other true things I would rather talk and pray about. Babies needing a new heart, a mother missing for several days, a pastor who committed suicide (depression and anxiety) and left his family behind. And the true not so bad things like back-to-school of the grands and valley students, a new restaurant serving great food, a friend who needs help with a yard sale, or the burgeoning garden which threatens to overtake the RV with tendrils, vines, and butternut squash.

I’d rather spread gossip about good things, like how the Lord has blessed my family, or how gorgeous is His creation, and oh, yes, I can’t wait for the magnificence of fall colors!

A mouth-running-over checklist:

*Is it true?

*Is it kind?

*Will it hurt someone?

*Is the source trustworthy?

*Is is necessary to repeat at all?

*Can I keep my mouth shut?

*Will God be pleased if I share this (or listen to this)?

*What should I do with this information? (Hint: Ignoring it is usually a good choice, unless someone truly needs help.)

Talk to Me Tuesday. Talk about positive topics, uplifting events, good news. Though I have to admit, this is pret-ty funny. AND I truly appreciated the question coming directly to us, instead of being whispered behind our backs. Thank you for asking if this was true!

Talk to you later.

From a small community (non-pregnant) woman.

Not saying I’m perfect AT ALL. This verse is a prayer for my mouth.

“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!”

-Psalm 141:3

Photo credit: Me, pregnant with our first baby, Taylor. Taken in May 1988.