"Why should we hear about body bags and deaths? Oh, I mean, it's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that?"
- Barbara Bush, 3/18/03

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last day of february


posted 29 February 08 & filed under familia!, more me

i was going to write that it’s been really scaring me how o.k. the world is with me giving up my life. how i basically quit one job, am barely working the other, don’t even try to schedule anything social or outside of the house, and am essentially homebound 24/7. life can be so full of conflicts, but one thing is clear – i’ll do anything to help my dad, so there’s no regrets there – - as is true for all of us who love him and are doing all we can. but still, it is scary how everything just keeps moving on. i know i’m just one of billions, yet – - life has slowed down to frame-by-frame for me. how can something so gigantic like that happen and yet make no dent in the world out there?

one of my sisters and i were wondering the other day – how often have we been at a mall, for instance, and just spent hours wandering around, shopping? and how many times have we seen really underslept women wandering around as well, with surprised and hurt eyes, wearing wrinkled clothing, basically looking like they just stumbled out of bed? and then – the cincher – how many times have those women been in the situation we find ourselves in – where they’re caring for someone with a terminal illness – people who found, or were given, an hour to themselves for literally the first time in a week – or people who’s loved one just died and now they’re free in a way they never hoped to be?

it’s amazing, just really amazing how clueless one can be. and how sad to have to be clued in this way. compassion is something every child has, but unfortunately as adults, we often only remember that compassion once we have no other choice.

so, i was going to write that it’s really scary to me how o.k. the world is with me giving up my life, and it still is scary, but really? things can always be worse. i get so much happiness out of an hour to myself, out of a night’s conversation, from making my nieces and nephews giggle, from taking a long hot shower. so, hold on to happiness. let the sadness come, but shoot, don’t let it take over. and next time i see a sad stumbling person out there, i’ll look in their eyes and give a slow sad smile. not with pity, but acceptance. we’ve all been there, or if we’re one of the lucky ones, like i was until very recently, we all will be there at some point in our lives. life is frightening in its fragility, but two things are sure: there is strength in numbers
and happiness and laughter can be found even in the most surprising and darkest times.

..ah, so rambly and preachy. hope that’s ok – it’s more for me than you. take care ~ and here comes march.. !

… my life right now. …

Comments

What can I say other than hang in there and try to carve out as many happy (or simply stress-free) little moments for yourself as you can?

Un bacione da tutta la famiglia.

~ Francesca (Feb 29, 10:27 AM#)

Amen to all of that.

~ Moni (Feb 29, 12:27 PM#)

How lucky your father is to be cared for by those who love him.

And wonderful for you to have this opportunity too, to prioritize and live a life with few regrets. Even the experiences we don’t want broaden us as people.

Take care.

~ Merna (Feb 29, 12:35 PM#)

Andrea, much love. Beautiful writing. I’m thinking of you!

~ Mary-Heather (Feb 29, 01:51 PM#)

Yes, this is full of beautiful and important sentiment. It seems your family is right where you need them and you have a lot of love around you. I’m thinking of you too!

~ Heidi (Mar 1, 04:55 AM#)

I felt that way when I took a break from law school to care for my brother. It made me think of that Paul Simon song “They say losing love is like a window in your heart. Everybody sees you’re blown apart. Everyone feels the wind blow.” Except that they don’t – or at least the spared ones do not. You just feel that way. The thing is, as terrible as this experience is it can make you a better person in a lot of ways. Whenever someone is unkind or thoughtless or anything other than easy and pleasant, I stop myself and think what they might have been through in life. You can’t always see it written on their faces, but many times it is there. Tragedy is almost as common as joy. And having time with your dad is sacred. Painful, but yet so much less painful than being without that time. It’s all part of the grieving process.

I am glad to see that you are spinning and knitting and taking moments to yourself, too. You are right – there is always happiness, too, and it is so important that you and your family have the chance to feel that now as well.

Hugs to you and all,
J.

~ Julia (Mar 1, 06:13 PM#)

Oh my gosh, I know exactly what you mean! I remember specifically one trip I was taking to visit my mom in hospice, and I was at the airport, waiting for my flight to leave, a total mess, looking around at everyone else in the airport, waiting for their planes, wondering where they were going, and wondering if anyone else was traveling for the same reason as me. I mean, I was on about to board a plane to Hawaii, so I assumed most people would be going on vacation, but who knows. Anyway, yeah, these times really do make you think.

I’m glad you are finding joy and happiness, still, amidst all you’re going through. Take good care. You continue to be in my thoughts. xo-S.

~ Nonnahs (Mar 5, 11:22 AM#)

andrea, qui tutti ti vogliamo bene e ti siamo vicini un grosso bacio

~ mirko (Mar 10, 02:22 AM#)