“There’s a period of life when we swallow a knowledge of ourselves and it becomes either good or sour inside.” ~Pearl Bailey
The thing about having one dramatic/traumatic day is that it ends up sucking the life out of the rest of the week such that by the end of it all exertion would be defined as standing up, walking to the refrigerator, finding a beer and prying off the top. And even that requires more concentration than you have.
I’m sitting here singing along to Hairspray and balancing a Heinekin Light on my stomach while The Roommate makes a landmark book; a photo album of sorts of significant moments in her life over the years. As she has been working on this project we have learned that not only did we go to the same elementary school – though she is seven years my senior – we also had the same kindergarten teacher. She’s having a hard time remembering and contemplating resorting to the fluorescent heaven that is MySpace. I am realizing that every significant event since my college graduation has been documented in this space. Both the good and the bad.
It’s June and this year has already been one giant learning experience after another. Some days have been arduous at best where I have seriously thought about jumping in the Hudson and starting over wherever I happen to surface. Then there have been the really great moments where I have been gloriously happy and OK with my decisions because where I have surfaced may not be some perfect tropical island but good enough for me.
So I don’t jump and instead just wait it all out and try my damndest to push the bad days out of the way – to the recesses of my mind – so that they don’t spoil the rest.
7 Comments
Dear Heather:
You are super cool.
Dear Heather:
Ditto Slynnro. And? Sometimes apples are also overrated, anyway.
I hear ya…car getting towed, hard drive failing, one thing after another these weeks. I’m still overall happy (no one’s ill in my family, that’s something), but still a string of bad luck won’t put you in the best of moods. Heineken Light, on the other hand, will. Have you ever done the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam, btw? AMAZING.
I understand that day you speak of. Yesterday was it. Complete and utter energy suckage.
I like your outlook. Seems like what I’ve been trying to figure out for myself, but you said it much more eloquently. And hey, if you do jump in the Hudson, maybe you’ll end up in the Chesapeake Bay (does that even work?) and you can live with me in Virginia. I need some friends who enjoy the alcohol as much as I do.
I hope you get a chance to recharge soon!
Oh, how I know how you feel. I hope the Heineken does its job.