Photo by Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash. For Young J who stuttered (and still does now and again in moments of overexcitement)…
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Don’t let this be a big thing. Don’t let the tyranny of a lost word hovering just beyond the reach of your tired tongue drag you to the edge of self-immolation.
Cherish the bitten lower lip, the lisp when the words - like a pent up flood breaching the edge of a levee - finally come.
Some days your teeth may grate with the effort of self-control as your breath meets the ticking seconds but when the count meets nine you will have won a hard-fought victory.