Tag Archives: sadness

The Message We Never Want to Hear

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Dear Friends,

I posted just a couple of weeks ago about the elation of our nephew’s band’s huge success on their winning the Norwegian ‘Grammy’ (Spellemannprisen) for best rock band of the year. Today he is grieving the death in a car crash of his bandmate and dear friend Anders, Honningbarna‘s drummer. This is the kind of update that is most dreaded of all, but I thought it appropriate that you know this sequel to my earlier post. The news came this morning from my sister, but it already is in every newspaper there in Norway too–Fædrelandsvennen, Aftenposten, Dagbladet, VG, and more. I turn to you, my friends, because I know you are quick to support each other with your kindness and comfort. Please keep our nephew and all of the band’s family held close in your hearts.

Kathryn

Pests: 1; Everyone Else: 0

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photo + textIs it a bug or beast that’s plaguing you, or is it all just self-imposed? Does it really matter? Fear, anger and other poisonous emotions are just as toxic as can be, and I know if I give my own worst self power over the rest of me, I’ve no one else to blame. Inner pest, outer pest: under attack I fold, I wither and the result is pretty much the same.

Solution? None that’s perfect. I’m mortal and oh-so-imperfect, and any solution I might try must likewise tend to fall far short of the mark.

Give up? Hardly! The imperfect solution is always far preferable to no attempted solution at all. So me, I’m just going to keep my eyes peeled, my ears and mind open to useable input, and I hope to find that the next surprise is always a happy one. That the next encounter is with a long-lost friend, the next journey is through beautiful countryside that leads to the next great joy of a long and fruitful life. Pests or no pests, trouble or none. Hope and believing because they lead to the sorts of happiness that no amount of dwelling in the dark can ever do.

digital photocollage