I haven’t posted lately because, among other things, I’m very busy gearing up for a long vacation... It’s beckoning, over there, just behind that hulking Matterhorn of last-minute frantic labor that I just have to scale first.
And then there’s Katrina, shutting me up too. All those poor people... and I mean poor in senses that I can’t even begin to imagine. I’m utterly humbled. And seeing myself and my middle-class conceptions and my trifling problems with totally different (and none too approving) eyes. And INFURIATED at the way this is being handled. "Why didn’t they leave?” my foot. "The state government is to blame” my ASS.
Becoming incoherent here. Change of topic needed. An awww-shucks story, anyone?
How about this: It was my mother-in-law’s birthday last week, and the whole family (two sons, one daughter, two daughters-in-law and four grandchildren) met for lunch at a restaurant. Her daughter came in with three big bouquets – one for her mother, one for our sister-in-law who just had the baby, and one for me. I was very pleasantly surprised, but being a little slow on the uptake, didn’t realize right away what that meant.
She gave me a bouquet so I wouldn’t feel left out. She had remembered and empathized and anticipated. She had turned a moment that could have been sad for me into one of real pleasure.
This touched me immeasurably.
I love my sisters-in-law.
The bouqet was really sweet. Thank goodness for people who anticipate and have empathy.
Posted by: Em | September 04, 2005 at 02:28 PM
No comment-just wanted to say "hi".
Posted by: Kristy | September 04, 2005 at 03:44 PM
Hi right back!
Posted by: Kath | September 04, 2005 at 03:50 PM
That is indeed lovely... were there any freakin' SUNFLOWERS in the bunch??? If so... I have it on good authority that they are very bad luck.... so BURN IT! BURRRRRNNNN IT!
Psycho-friend indeed.
Posted by: Manuela | September 04, 2005 at 09:25 PM
Hee hee... actually there were. That was the bunch I had sitting on my windowsill when the subject came up on your blog.
Cue "Twilight Zone" music.
And I prefer psycho "buddy". You know, like cycle buddies, but with some major... sunflower issues.
Posted by: Kath | September 04, 2005 at 10:28 PM
Is it just that I'm a really growly snarky bitch this week, or would anyone else be offended by that? My first thought would be "that's right, sympathy flowers for the poor infertile so she doesnt feel left out."
No? Its just me then.
I'm glad they were an appreciated gesture to you. Despite the sunflowers. ;-)
Posted by: Panda | September 08, 2005 at 02:17 AM