I read a book last week and I've been a basketcase ever since. After many, many recommendations I finally read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Set amidst the brutality of WWII, the book was a bittersweet story of humanity. Despite its utterly redeeming characters I found myself down in the dumps and continue to sit there. Maybe it's pregnancy related. I cried throughout the book and feel like sobbing at every little thing now. I watched the dumb movie Ghosts of Girlfriends Past and pitifully cried through more than a few scenes.
More seriously, last night as Doug and I were getting ready for bed he told me that after a casual mention of Michael Shepard in a workplace conversation, he looked the name up on Wikkipedia to find out the details. What he found were details so graphic and horrifying, he was desperate to unload the burden.
"Why are you telling me this?" I finally asked unable to take anymore.
"I don't know. It was just so disturbing."
"Well, please stop. I'm not in a good place right now." It was taking all my strength not to throw myself on bed and sob my guts out at the inhumanity all around me and beg Doug to just end my life on this miserable planet.
So here I am today, gloomy and grouchy as ever. The world is a freakin' mean place.
But...
I'm going to list 10 things that bring me joy in hopes that my gloom will dispel.
1. My children singing.
2. Doug wrestling with the kids.
3. Bella, our new bunny, doing the "happy bunny dance."
4. Daphne's facial and verbal expressions.
5. James' developing artistic ability.
6. Nathan's enormous smile.
7. The horses running in the field out front.
8. Friends.
9. My new download of nostalgic tunes from Trio, an 80's album featuring Dolly Parton, Linda Rondstad, and Emmilou Harris.
10. The radio program Wait, Wait Don't Tell.
I'm feeling better already.
7 comments:
I hate movies/books like that. Read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It's set post-WWII and is quite a pleasant, uplifting read. I've just recently downloaded The Trio too and have been enjoying the nostalgia as well! Great minds think alike! I hear the music and I can hear Mom singing and harmonizing with her country twang. That's a happy memory! As mean a place as the world is, I'm grateful for my home and family where I am largely sheltered from it. Give your kids extra hugs and have Doug hold you extra long. Maybe that will help too. I know it is what I want when I'm feeling despair over the world. Love ya!
Boy have i got some good music for you. I'm an Itunes JUNKIE. Emilies baby here but it was too late to call. Sheesh what a day...dad has his "procedure" too.
Don't worry BE HAPPY!
The Heart of Life is Good! (good John Meyer download ).
TTYL XOXO
I love that show too! My last pregnancy I cried at the end of an episode of 'Arthur', so I feel you. Get a Netflix account and rent sitcom dvds. That's what I do.
I just started listening to "The Book theif" on cd. I borrowed it from the library, thinking I'd listen to it on my commute. I had no idea what it was about when I checked it out, so we'll see...
The gloom. I know what you mean. It is hard not to grab my little family, bring them all inside, lock the doors, and not go out again. The world can indeed be a freaky place.
Thank goodness for our happy lists!
there are some things that i have learned the hard way that i just need to avoid so i dont get into "the gloom". war stuff is one, thrillers are another.
however, kids and bunnies are two of the best things i know for getting rid of "the gloom". i LOVE bunnies! i am curious - please can you explain/post a video of the bunny dance? sounds awesome!
yes, I really liked The Book Thief, but it was very deep and down in many ways. I have a dear friend that I love talking with, but sometimes there are so many sad things in her life that it's hard to listen and be the friend because it pulls me down too. Anyway, I like your list. : ) Read some Shannon Hale, she has a new Book of Bayern out....
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