Tennessee Mom Fights for First Amendment Rights

Hey Boos! I’m in Nashville for two book events (click here for more info) and staying with one of my best friend’s on the planet, Lori Wescott. Lori and I met in nursing school but coincidentally are now both writers. Weird, huh?

At any rate, Lori is one of those people that makes me laugh until I cry every time I talk to her, or read her blog. Since I’m staying with her this week as I get to know these Nashville folks, I wanted to let you get to know her. ALSO she’s giving away a GPS on her blog, so I’d go check it out if I were you…

When I think back to just one year ago, I’m reminded of a time of free expression- a time when I didn’t have to watch my back every time I opened my mouth to speak. Alas, those days are gone, and in their place I have been left with fear and intimidation.

“What kind of person could illicit such fear and anxiety from a grown woman?” you ask. Allow me to introduce you to Luke Wescott. While not quite four-years-old, this sly and stealthy son of mine has the ability to be everywhere at once. And, if there were a town called Bad Wordville, he’d be the mayor.

I walked through the living room yesterday morning with my coffee cup in hand. Luke was tucked away in his bedroom playing with his trains, and I only left him long enough to go downstairs for a quick refill. I was approaching the staircase when I stepped on one of his toys and lost my balance. I caught myself before falling, but as a result, I spilled my coffee everywhere.

“Sh*t,” I muttered under my breath. No sooner had I gotten the word past my lips did Luke emerge from the very next room. He darted around the corner with such gusto that his sock feet slid two or three feet across the floor before coming to a stop.

“Oooh Moooom, you said a bad word. I’m gonna call Dad at CVS and tell him, and you’re gonna get soap in your mouf. You better not say dat again in your whole wife. You unnastand me?”

“Yes, ok. I’m sorry, but you know what? Moms can say words that kids can’t say.”

“No, it’s still a bad word. That’s a time out.”

I was clearly not getting anywhere with my argument so I sat on the stairs for a few minutes to think about what I had done. I wasn’t one bit sorry, though. Adults should be allowed to use four-letter words. I began thinking about how much I would love to debate him on the matter. Surely I’d win. I would have the support of Moms everywhere, and I’d argue that parents should have the right to use their “power words” whenever they deemed it appropriate. The fact that my opponent can’t pronounce his L’s wouldn’t hurt my case either. I know that may be hitting below the belt, but I fight dirty…damn darn it.

Y’all people GO VOTE FOR ME at Circle of Moms! It’s the last day and it is only two clicks! You don’t even have to enter your email address! VOTE!