Big Foot in my Mouth

I like to think of myself as a good listener, I don't speak a lot, and don't interrupt people when they are talking, and I try as best as possible not to offend anyone. I also speak "men" language when needed. Like today when I took my son to the dentist. Instead of giving a bunch of explanations for the problem at hand I simply said: "Jaw popping, not good." The doctor understood perfectly and immediately went to work on the problem without me having to elaborate.

As I was sitting in my chair facing both doctor and child, I looked at child and without even thinking I observed out loud "You need to shave Sir." I sometimes lovingly refer to my boys as "Sir."

The two "Sirs" raised their heads toward me and in unison said some like "Yes I know." OMGsh!!!!! Just then my eyes moved slowly to the unshaven doctor, which of course I hadn't noticed earlier. I prayed that the Earth would swallow me whole, or that my Lord would return that second.

My child was having a hard time holding his face so he wouldn't laugh, and I was utterly embarrassed and ashamed, but also beginning to get the giggles, therefore, grabbing my face as well to force it to remain serious.

It was one of those moments where nothing I could possibly say would erase what I just expressed. Would a "Oh, no, Doctor, I'm talking to my son, not you, your unshaven face looks neat" sound sincere? Truth is, I hadn't noticed him until I said what I said. Too late. So, I kept silent as he continued doing his job in my boy's mouth, and I can only wonder what his face will look like when we return in four weeks. Maybe I'll wait in the car.