Wind

Have you ever had the breath stolen right out of your lungs? One minute the exchange of carbon dioxide for oxygen is going along just as normal as can be; everything is working just as naturally as nature intended. Your lungs hand off the oxygen to your blood, which happily delivers it to your major organs and tissues, who in turn hand off the carbon dioxide waste which is promptly dropped off at the lungs for a quick egress out your nostrils. Easy-peasy-puddin'-pie.

Right up until the moment said gasses get knocked out of your personal dual airbag system.

I've been burned by many people in my short 36 years. I've either got the words "Screw with me, please!" tattooed on my forehead in such a way that only the mean f*cktards can see them or I just exude large quantities of the "Please stab me in the back" hormone, thereby attracting said f*cktards by the droves. I've experienced heartbreak from both family members and supposed friends and I like to think I've developed a relatively thick skin about the whole thing.

But then my thick skin failed and the wind got knocked out of me anyway.

It's surprising when it happens. I never expect it but at the same time I've been expecting it all along. When something like this happens, I typically lash out in anger with whatever words make it out of my mouth. Civility or politeness be damned! I am indignant! I have been wronged! You shall suffer 500 lashed of my righteous tongue and take it without comment!

But not this time. This time I am silent because the wind got pushed out of my lungs. At the expense of my children.

Gad. Mean people suck.