It sounds like such a loving supportive thing to say to a person, doesn’t it?  Especially if spoken by someone with a genteel southern accent.  However, if truth be told, what that lovely person is actually saying to you is “Bless your heart that you’re so clueless, stupid or any other number of insults.  Southern women can even get away with this with a sweet smile on their face.

When I first moved to Kentucky, I picked up on this quickly, not really understanding the hidden meaning.  I found myself sympathizing with those who were having a difficult time by saying “bless your heart” because, well, I wanted to bless their heart.  It sounds so supportive and nurturing.  However, after many years and now completely understanding what it means, I use it freely amongst those who may not understand it the way I do now.  This is not to say that I mean everyone is clueless of course – sometimes the “bless your heart” pops up and I really mean it in a nice way.

I get it.  It sounds mean and heartless, but really, when you see a magnificent mullet, a “bless their heart” just pops out.  Or someone driving on the shoulder to pass you because the regular lanes aren’t going fast enough for them.  Or watching a parent on their cell phone while their child wanders away. You see where I’m going.  I could call these people four letter words or honk my horn at them, but a sweet little “bless their heart” really goes a long way for me.

This came to mind tonight as I was watching a video of the world’s worst singing of the national anthem.  Bless her heart, this woman probably thought she was doing a wonderful job, standing on the bed of a pick-up truck in the middle of a dirt track in a tight dress while another pick-up truck drove around the track carrying an American flag.  The poor woman couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, although it kind of sounded like she drank a bucketful of something before she began, bless her heart.  It’s an awful thing to laugh while trying to be respectful of our national anthem, but well, some things are just beyond my control.

I really am not one to make fun of people usually, and I don’t usually say it right to someone’s face, but sometimes there are just some things so ludicrous that they deserve something, and a “bless your heart” is about the nicest way I can think of to express my feelings and still maintain my dignity.