As a writer I spend a lot of time thinking about the meaning of words. I like doing that, and I like using words to paint a verbal picture. As a human being, I also spend a lot of time thinking about words said to me, sometimes probably too much time.

In this post I wanted to use my graphic arts and design skills to convey an important concept and idea: when the word “sorry” just does not ring true. When that happens to me here is what I sometimes think the speaker really means: one or more (see below).

So, I ask you to think carefully about what you really mean to convey and what is really in your heart when you toss that word “sorry” over your shoulder as you wend your merry way. Words matter.