The Things We Say

A month or so ago I had an insightful conversation with a good friend about the things people say accidentally, and usually very innocently, that hurt our feelings. I remember after my daughter fell asleep that the phrases, "took my breath away", "you're killing me!" and other such (ridiculous) innocent collections of words pierced me every time. At times it was difficult to bite my tongue to keep from lashing out, "Of course it's not killing you!" When discussing this with my friend, who has had deep wounds but of a different nature, it has made me wonder how often I have innocently phrased things that have hurt those around me. Do I joke or ...