Sweet? Sour? Or Just Honest?

When my mum turned 50, she told me she was going to be more free with her words.
“If I want to say it,” she said, “I’m going to say it.”

And every five-ish years since, she’s reminded me of that same thing—she’s going to say what she wants.
Clearly, she hasn’t said it all yet.
I’m sure the day she does will be a memorable one.
(It’s slightly alarming to think about!)

When I turned 50 a few months ago, I didn’t feel the need to make a similar declaration.
Because honestly? I already say what I want.

Not to be mean. Not to hurt anyone’s feelings.
In fact, I find it very upsetting when I do—
(cue the overthinking and emotional replay that lasts three business days… or three years).

My parents raised me to think before I open my mouth.
And I still do.

The difference now is—I think about it… and then say it anyway.

Every so often, my dad will shake his head and ask,
“Was that a nice thing to say? Didn’t I teach you to think before you speak?”

And I tell him, “I did. I thought about it—and then I said it.”

My husband, JP, marvels at my ability to say things without offending a single person.
He always says, “If I had said that, no one would speak to me.”

I’m guessing that’s why he calls me a Sour Patch Kid—you know, “First they’re sour, then they’re sweet.”

Clearly, he’s got it all wrong. I’m not at all like a Sour Patch Kid.

First I’m sweet, then I’m sour. See the difference?
Although, I’m definitely not sweet. So I guess I’m just… sour?

I suppose I just have that certain charm.

Most people seem to think I’m joking when I say naughty things.
For some insanely annoying reason, they think I’m too sweet to say mean things.

I’m not sweet. I may be kind-hearted, but I am not sweet.
Definitely. Not. Sweet.

One of my aunts is the perfect example of this. My sister is super sweet to her, while I say whatever I want.
I don’t set out to be mean—but this aunt says terrible things to other members of my family.
Members of the family that I actually like.
(Of course I love all my family… even the mean aunt. 😂)

It’s almost disgusting how sweet my sister is to her.
And yet, the aunt always complains about my sister!

I say naughty things to the aunt, and she laughs and tells me how funny I am.
Then she says that’s why she loves me best.

I haven’t managed to offend her yet—but that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped trying!

See? Not sweet.

It’s a very fine line between the things you can say to get a laugh and the things that are so terrible you should never say them.

Thankfully, I’m skilled enough to stay on the side of laughter.
Well… at least most of the time.

---

💜 If you laughed, nodded, or thought “Yep, that’s me,” give this post a like, share it with a fellow truth-teller, and don’t forget to subscribe for more real talk about life, family, and the funny side of fifty.

---