“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." To this day, especially in times of "disaster," I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”
It helps me some to think that this is the way that we really are. That if something bad happens our instinct is to help. We as a society think this is the right thing to do. We probably don't even think, we just do it.
One thing I'm trying to do, with limited success, is to NOT tune in for the continuous coverage. The speculation, the hypotheses, the leads. I think this is good for my mental health in that it keeps me from re-experiencing the shock and disbelief over and over again.
And we finally got a big dump of snow. About a foot or so. Yesterday it was very heavy, but overnight it was fluffier, so it won't be as much work to shovel. Schools are on a two-hour delay, and work takes its cue from the schools, so we are also on a delay. This seems petty in comparison, but I have an irrational fear that someone is going to hit my new car. It handles well in the snow, but there are plenty of people who drive like they think their all-wheel drive car makes them invincible and able to stop on a dime.
While I'm at it, I think the tree in my yard is pushing the garage into my house. Again. I have a large fir tree in the corner of my property, behind the garage, and its trunk is very close to the roof of the garage. I had to get the roof of the garage trimmed away from the trunk a few years ago because the trunk of the tree was pushing the garage into the house. There is a tiny bit of room (an inch or two) there because of roof overhangs and Mr W's room expansion. There is a solution, and I will find it.
So the juxtaposition of another national tragedy and weather anxiety makes me feel a little goofy today. It was hard to concentrate yesterday, and I'm glad I've got a bunch of data processing stuff to do today that is pretty mindless.
Tomorrow will be better.
I am in the same boat. Such mindless violence out of the blue can turn your world upside down. I loved Fred Rogers and wish there were millions more of him. It's a great quote and one worth hanging onto. The stress of the 'first ding' is one of the reasons I don't think I could ever get a new car again. Well, that and the cost... :)
ReplyDeleteI let the dog into the car for the first time yesterday, and have just resigned myself to the idea that it is something to use, not a museum piece. But the first ding will be hard.
DeleteI can understand your feelings. Thank God for the caring people in this world.
ReplyDeleteYes - it helps to remember.
DeleteThere are many, many more good people in the world than bad, if we could only realise it. You're right though, tomorrow will be a better day!
ReplyDeleteAnd it is. We're dealing with major snow, so my attention is somewhat diverted. Looking forward.
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