You know this could be you, right? You, too, could
Be buffeted by winds and beat up
By trees and cars and birds and kids.
Life could happen to you in
Mean ways. Your student debt
Insurmountable
When medical
Expenses
Overtake
You.
Bank
Account
Empty. Cards
Maxed. Marriage bro-
Ken. A move. All the
Degrees in the world can’t
Float you high enough to miss
All the brutality of life.
That fatal heart attack was mercy.
Don’t judge. Don’t judge. Don’t judge. This could be you.
This was the prompt from Sadje’s WhatDoYouSee? post this week.
This week, in sorting through papers, I came across a box of unopened mail from my brother’s apartment when we cleaned it out after he died from a heart attack nine years ago. Most of it was bills and debt collections notices. Yes, depressing.
Hot Dogs and Marmalade 
Dark outlook here, Sally….but can we keep smiling like the balloon does in spite of all the ‘stuff’ life piles on us?
Yes — dark.
I think the words in it are for me more than anyone. I was peripherally aware of my brother’s struggles, but I kept saying why doesn’t he do this or that. I was a very judge-y and not nearly compassionate enough.
Honestly — he did keep smiling. He kept reaching out and helping people who had even less than he did.
Many of the things I write are what I need to hear, totally understand. Give yourself some grace, I think some of us automatically default to fix-it mode….do this, do that, etc. It comes from a place of love, even when it feels judge-y in hindsight. Take that grace forward into your next interaction with someone.
What a wonderful legacy he left in his smile and compassion in the midst of his struggles. 💞💞💞
You’re so kind in your outlook and words — a good reminder to me. I do default to “fix-it” and it does come from a place of love, but it’s not always loving.
Yeah, me too….it’s harder when you are ground zero in the situation. Distance gives a little clearer perception.
❤️
This is the sad reality of life. Anyone can fall a victim to this downward drag that circumstances sometimes pull people in. Thanks for joining in with this poignant reminder.
milk me
la leche!
Usually I understand
Today I don’t
no problem! do not panic! it s merely that i am manic!
Good to know — today I’m slow
Some days my mind is like a weed
Growing six directions at hyperspeed
Other days I’m just tired
And not so wired
just some good old messican. and hopefully storng root beer too!
Suitably bleak.