The Mirror Cracked From Side to Side
Oh, I’m in a mood most foul, still bearing the remnants of last night’s massive headache. I don’t know why I don’t drink more, since I get hangover-like headaches anyway; I may as well have fun while I’m at it. Oh yeah, I don’t drink more because even one glass of wine makes me really, really silly - sillier than usual - and I end up monopolizing every conversation because I can’t stop talking. But then, I usually get everyone laughing, which causes them to love me (though that may have something to do with the fact that they’re drinking, too), so maybe I should drink more. Oh yeah, but then I tend to go hot-tubbing with friends in only my bra and panties so that’s why I don’t drink more. And now my head hurts even worse.
Plus, I just had to fix our picture window. Sometime in the last couple days one of our dogs jumped up on the glass and cracked it. Scott, because his whole life is about function over appearance - and because he’s a guy - used half an acre of duct tape to cover it until we can get the glass replaced. Thankfully it was the kind that pulls off easily, or I’d be spending the next few years of my life in jail for premeditated murder, unless the judge was a woman, in which case I’d end up waving from the front seat of the mayor’s car in the town parade. Anyway. I used one thin piece of black electrician’s tape instead and now the crack is nigh invisible. I am all about appearance over function, in case you haven’t noticed.
Yesterday afternoon I went out to get the dogs from their kennel. As I was walking toward them, watching them jump all over each other with unadultered glee at my appearance, my foot stop functioning when it entered a hole and I toppled like a drunk on Christmas. One minute up and happy, goo-gooing to my dogs, the next minute, on my knees eating grass. I don’t think any of my neighbors saw, but they’re not saying. I’m pretty sure I still looked fabulous on the way down, so I’m trying not to worry about it.
But overlying all these piddly occurrences is the hard, cold truth that not too far away my neighbors are facing unbelievable devastation. How do you deal with the fact that your entire city or town has been demolished? Where are all these people going to live? What about those who didn’t have insurance of any kind; no money; no family to take them in; no job left to go to; nothing? It’s heartbreaking. It’s hard to believe, especially when everything is humming along as usual where I live, except for gas being up to $2.99. Big woop. Puts my head, my broken window, and my twisted ankle in a completely different light altogether. Help us all, Lord - we need you. Peace. xo
September 1st, 2005 09:54
I know just what you mean - I’ll be going along as usual, griping about the usual piddling nothings, when I remember all those people and I die a little. It’s almost unbearable to even try to enter into what so many face now.
September 1st, 2005 10:04
I know; you wonder what you can do. Sending money to the Red Cross just seems like such a small gesture in the face of such need. We can pray, and be grateful, and humble in our gratitude, I guess, and give money. Doesn’t it seem like the world is falling apart at the seams?
September 1st, 2005 10:09
Yes it does seem as though the World is falling apart….but was that not part of the plan?!?! The problems that I thought that I had I have come to realize are nothing. I cannot even begin to imagine how those people must feel.
September 1st, 2005 10:39
Mindy, I want to file a complaint! Who do we talk to about a change of plans?!
We’ll just keep praying. Life is so hard, but I pray that even the people who are going through what they are now will be able to find some hope to rest on.
September 1st, 2005 11:06
It is so hard to think about. Yesterday we were talking to Charles’ dad (who has become the spokes person for the N.O. family since they are devastated) and he said that Mama Betty can’t get her S.S. checks so she has no money, his Uncle John can’t get paid (since his bank is closed and his job has lost all records right now) so he has no money. They are paying $125 a night for hotel rooms and don’t know what to do once they max out their credit cards. We’re setting up a way to wire them all money. They are finding family to stay with, going from home to home “to not outstay their welcome”. It’s really sad.
September 1st, 2005 11:14
It’s just unbelievably sad. I feel so helpless. I hope the government comes through in a HUGE way for all these people. How horrible to have to use credit cards just to live! Charles’s grandparents are fortunate to have family who loves and wants to care for them. I hurt for those who don’t. I just keep praying, “God, HELP!”
September 1st, 2005 11:29
It’s been so hard for me too - going about my business seems almost wrong. I really cannot fathom the sheer numbers of people without hope right now… just watching the news and seeing all those mommas with babies - it breaks my heart how hard each hour of the day must be for them. I woke up this morning feeling so completely helpless - there are all these people with such great need and there’s so little I can do… yes, the money helps, in some anonymous, corporate way, but I want to do so much more… I need to stop belittling the power of prayer - it’s for sure the single most powerful thing we can do, and yet my head keeps thinking it’s not enough either.
September 1st, 2005 12:04
Grass always goes well with copious amounts of alcohol. Good thinking, faking that trip!
September 1st, 2005 12:32
There is one bright hope in all this- New Orleans was plagued with a powerful voodoo constituency- there were places that the cops wouldn’t go into, and if someone turned up missing from that general area, they gave it up as a lost cause immediately.
This tragedy could be used by God (and us) to show the way to His light, for all those living in the darkness of black magic.
I myself feel, for possibly the first time, that my prayers will have a huge affect on this.
September 1st, 2005 12:35
Cathy - If we all pray, maybe we’ll push something over, like - maybe move a mountain? It’s amazing how deep the reservoirs of strength are in human souls, isn’t it? We’re survivors. This is a perfect opportunity to link hands and really launch into action as common humanity. I hope the organized church comes through, too, as well as the gov’t.
@@@
Heather Anne - FINALLY somebody has seen through my thin veneer of respectability.
*cough
September 1st, 2005 12:43
Chrissy - Whoa, I didn’t think of that. Voodoo, ew. I know God uses everthing to teach us something; it’s just up to us to pay attention to the lessons. I will pray for those who’ve been locked in the darkness, and now may have an opportunity to stay in the light. And that they’ll have somewhere light to live while they do it. Yikes. PERFECT opportunity for the church.