The Gossip.

Getting ready to head off back to France for a few weeks  so a few hectic days in front of me. But before that I will meet with my friends today, last time for a while. I was talking to to somebody and saying that  I looked forward to those meeting . it was nice to catch up with all the gossip and hear what had been happening in their lives.

The minute I said that I realised that I had used a word that I seldom ever use, gossip. Gossip is a dangerous thing because it is seldom or ever anything nice that is being said. 

Sadly it is something that happens far too frequently and often in places you would least expect it to happen. 

I found that when I was a minister it often happened in church circles and frequently caused much grief. Again as a teacher in teachers staff rooms it occurred with the same bad consequences. 

Mildred, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose into other people's business.

Several members did not approve of her extra curricular activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence. 

She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon. 

She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that every one seeing it there "WOULD KNOW WHAT HE WAS DOING!"

Frank, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away.  He didn't explain, defend, or deny. He said nothing.

Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house... Walked home... and left it there all night.

Not what would be said about that in the morning, because everybody would know exactly what was happening.

Have a gossip free day. I am off to share life experiences with my friends.