"I can't even!" I like a colloquialism about as good as the next person, and as a parent of five, I feel like we use slang more than most. The shelf life on much of it is quite short. And nothing can make a teen's eyes roll quicker than a parent that uses cool words, especially if used too often, incorrectly, or out of context...or in front of their friends. Recently I got a free pass on the use of I cant even, even though it's been around since before the young man pictured above was born and it's not because I'm better than other dads or anything like that. It was all about the situation.
Dictionary.com states, "I can’t even is an emotional exclamation in response to an event. Its abrupt ending implies something is too amazing, frustrating, surprising, exciting (or any other adjective imaginable) to handle, which renders a person speechless because they’re so incredulous." I'd say that's pretty spot on, perfectly describing my most recent use of this phrase.
So what was I so incredulous about? (What am I still so amazed at?) It started a few months ago when #M and #A decided to apply for Spring Break service projects their school puts together each year, one going to Uganda the other to Sierra Leone. I was like, that's cool! and was pretty proud they have continued to look for ways to live out their faith, even outside their normal environment, something that's been an important driver in our family life. It was neat and all that...and then I saw the price tag. You may recall, #M went to Kenya last year on a similar trip, in fact many of you sponsored her, which was amazing, rewarding, impacting, all those things. Now we had two wanting to go, praying about going, feeling led to go and so the price tag was double and, as I told their mama that night, I just couldnt see how we were going to be able to swing it. So, I told the kids, "We definitely support your desire and are proud of you but it's alot of money and I just dont see how it will work. Maybe look at doing some things more local." Those two champions, unfazed by their father's doubt, prayed, came up with a plan, and went about it. Last night I checked their fundraising pages. And, I just shook my head and dumbfounded, 'I can't even!" rolled right off my tongue. They are just $200 shy of raising almost $5000. Yall! How wonderful and humbling and just simple good is that! So, thank you to all that responded to their emails and for those who have prayed, are praying and will pray for them and their teams and thank You to our good, good Father that has patience when our faith wobbles and blesses our socks off anyway. I can't even! We'll keep you updated on their travels.
Dictionary.com states, "I can’t even is an emotional exclamation in response to an event. Its abrupt ending implies something is too amazing, frustrating, surprising, exciting (or any other adjective imaginable) to handle, which renders a person speechless because they’re so incredulous." I'd say that's pretty spot on, perfectly describing my most recent use of this phrase.
So what was I so incredulous about? (What am I still so amazed at?) It started a few months ago when #M and #A decided to apply for Spring Break service projects their school puts together each year, one going to Uganda the other to Sierra Leone. I was like, that's cool! and was pretty proud they have continued to look for ways to live out their faith, even outside their normal environment, something that's been an important driver in our family life. It was neat and all that...and then I saw the price tag. You may recall, #M went to Kenya last year on a similar trip, in fact many of you sponsored her, which was amazing, rewarding, impacting, all those things. Now we had two wanting to go, praying about going, feeling led to go and so the price tag was double and, as I told their mama that night, I just couldnt see how we were going to be able to swing it. So, I told the kids, "We definitely support your desire and are proud of you but it's alot of money and I just dont see how it will work. Maybe look at doing some things more local." Those two champions, unfazed by their father's doubt, prayed, came up with a plan, and went about it. Last night I checked their fundraising pages. And, I just shook my head and dumbfounded, 'I can't even!" rolled right off my tongue. They are just $200 shy of raising almost $5000. Yall! How wonderful and humbling and just simple good is that! So, thank you to all that responded to their emails and for those who have prayed, are praying and will pray for them and their teams and thank You to our good, good Father that has patience when our faith wobbles and blesses our socks off anyway. I can't even! We'll keep you updated on their travels.
