A few articles in the news (some local news, some online) have me ruminating further – watch out! Rumination ahead!
On bullying . . .
I was bullied mercilessly in high school – That mustache girl is one ugly barch, is a comment I particularly remember. I’d also get Ugly Dog and Woof Woof, while boys threw pennies at my head. I started to type more stories of teenaged misery, but ah, just limit your thinking to the tiny imaginations of the brains of 15 year old boys and you can guess the indignities I suffered. And so what? This mean treatment made me dread going to school some days, and made me cry, and made me scribble heart-rending diary entries where I begged Jesus to help me have forgiveness in my heart for the mean people (I was more religiously inclined then.) But they did not stunt my growth. I’m not a homicidal maniac. I didn’t shoot people, or even want to shoot people. It made me a much more compassionate person. And the bullies were just kids, too, going through their own pubescent miseries, acting out in destructive but predictable ways. I hope as a parent I will be able to give my children the tools they need to handle the miserable experiences that they will doubtless encounter, rather than focus on trying to engineer these negative experiences away. What did I suffer? A few mean comments? A sore head once in a while (from the pennies)? And what did I gain? Empathy, resilience, and eventually, the ability to handle crummy situations with grace. Bring on the bullies.
On the commercialism of Christmas . . .
Commercialism, schmamercialism. I love finding gifts for people, regardless of budget or time constraints (which typically fluctuate year to year between paltry and a-little-better-than-paltry.) I love getting ’em, too. We live so close to the bone during the year, it’s nice to treat each other and say – aw heck, it’s Christmas. Folks are welcome to reject the pressure to shop shop shop – but since it’s a once a year treat for us, I revel in it! Also, there is no shame in gift cards. Especially ones that come with a promise to go out together to spend it – making it the gift of an outing as well.
A family nearly lost its home in a fire last weekend here in NC – tragic. However. After the fire was put out, the firemen went back in the house and discovered an unconscious little gray puppy. They pulled out their puppy oxygen mask (yes they had one, it had been donated by a local animal lovers’ group), strapped it on his tiny face, and 20 minutes later he was awake and presumably bounding from kid to kid, full of energy and life. The picture of the pup cradled by a fireman with the breathing mask on his little face is – – – well, it wreaks havoc on a hormonal pregnant woman’s emotions.
I’m just relieved that my boyfriend Johnny Damon was not on the list.
Ew. He’s holding it. Grody.
Johnny Damon? Really? I can see it…was it the long hair? Of course I have to hate him now that he\’s a Yankee (it\’s part of the fan contract) but I liked him when he was in Boston.
I LOVE that they saved that pup. Crap like that breaks my heart.
On the break up post…the Man is my second real relationship, the one prior to him was almost three years…but wasn\’t as \’grown up\’ as this one is. So I don\’t have any good stories. Of break ups that is. Of hook ups and sordid affairs I have plenty. But that\’s another day.
I\’m off to look up the word \’Succubus…\’.
The long hair was what won me, and the interview on David Letterman was what clinched it. He is not a rocket scientist, but he was so sweet and humble, and seemed very genuine. My in-laws went to that taping of the Letterman show – how awkward, to have your husband\’s parents in the same room with your boyfriend. 🙂