Ain’t punctuation grand? Just think of all the ways we can use those little dots, squiggles, and lines to express a range of emotions.
Take this sentence, for example:
My husband has cancer.
(A declaration of fact, which I learned today.)
Now, just by changing that last little bit of punctuation, we can give a whole new spin on that sentence, for example, my reaction:
My husband has cancer?
(A momentary reaction of disbelief)
We can then change the punctuation again, to heighten the emotional response and create more of a feeling of shock, perhaps laced with a bit of fear, panic, and sadness for what lies ahead:
My husband has cancer!
(Reality sets in, and emotions run high)
So now that we’ve run out of options for ending punctuation, let’s think about compound sentences. Take the simple little comma, for instance, joining two disparate thoughts into one cohesive whole:
My husband has cancer, and will have to undergo chemotherapy and radiation.
Other options exist for compound sentences, such as the mighty colon, which is used to enhance understanding of a particular part of a sentence or thought:
My husband has cancer: Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Let’s turn our attention briefly to the unassuming semicolon. While not as powerful as its previously mentioned cousin, the semicolon has the ability to join together two complete sentence into one powerful statement:
My husband has cancer; we do not fear what lies ahead for we know he is in God’s hands.
Allow me to conclude our grammar lesson for today with one final exhortation:
Please pray for us!
You are in our prayers. This is the diagnosis we didn’t want to hear but secretly knew.
Oh Debbi. You know I am all too familiar with the cancer word. You are always in my prayers and know that I am here for you both.
I don’t know what to say, so I’ll write, “I don’t know what to say.”
However, I do know how to pray, so I’ll pray.
Prayer and friendship are always good things to offer. We accept both freely.
Thanks!
Oh, Dearest Debbi and Matt,
I hope you can feel our arms around you right now as you face this. What an amazing inspiration you both are to everyone who knows you. May God give you both strength in the days ahead as you tackle this… and may He give the doctors amazing wisdom to give you the very best treatment, Matt… and may He guide you through this together. All our love to a very special family, and a gal who is like a sister to me, and a guy who will BEAT this and is such a winner in every way.
Christin and family
When I read this, I felt like shooting something and leaving, but not much like eating.
My heart hurts for you. I love you all, and will definitely pray for you every time I think of you.
I confess, Reuben, I never did finish that book…but I did make it all the way to the chapter on colons and semi colons. I guess I could have done a better post if I’d read it all, huh? *grin*
Debbi, Matt, Trey and Crisnana,
Uncle Dick and I care so much about the challenge that you are facing just now. Count on our prayer support, and if there is anything else we can do to help, we’re here for you! We will keep posted by reading your blog.
You all are so precious to us! Love, Aunt Carol
Well, I never finished “Eats, Shoots & Leaves” either, but you’re squarely in the “read it for entertainment” camp on that front (as opposed to the “remedial” camp). Because you “have a good brain,” you know…