Sometimes by brain/ soul gets too full of stress to absorb any more. It isn’t shutting down so much as getting a soft filter over any more stressors. I just can’t take any additions.
I did get a laugh this week tho: I’m a tutor for dyslexic students, and they rip through erasers fast. I bought a box of 244 (because for Amazon reasons, it cost less than the box of 12) A child found out that we were having a lesson on my birthday and wrapped up a partially used box of…erasers for me. “Because I know you like them!” Today another child noticed our colorful eraser and asked me if it was new. I told him who’d given it to me, sine the kids know each other. He ran to his room and excitedly brought me…a handful of erasers! (By my count I now have 169 erasers.)
You are right: We don't know how to grieve, and we don't know how to show up for each other. (But showing up is good! Even if we fumble for the right words.) I suspect we're going to have more opportunities to learn how to do these things. I'm sorry for all that your cousin (and by extension, you) are going through. Congratulations on the linen closet victory! I had a similar triumph a while back with my pantry, also thanks to Ikea products. Feel lucky to have one so close to us. Yesterday my son and I were able to sit outside in the sun while we ate lunch. Sun in January in Portland is always a source of delight!
Thank you, Rita. I got to enjoy the sun on a walk with my daughter before we took her to the airport! Nice to think you and I were sharing the same delight. Some of the winter-blooming shrubs are doing their thing, and it smells amazing. And for your pantry feat: ⭐️
I've had crying sessions, but I'm better than expected. When my husband died, I had to take care of two smallish kids and untangle a financial disaster. Now my adult children are taking care of ME...and I understand finances better. Such a different place to be!
1. Unlike America, my country faces natural disasters as a regular part of life—typhoons, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods, and fires. Watching the situation in LA feels almost surreal, though I mean no offense. It simply deepens my appreciation for the resilience my country has developed over time.
2. However, resilience can be a double-edged sword. While it allows us to recover quickly, it has also made us vulnerable in other ways. Our capacity to endure has enabled some of our leaders to exploit that strength, deepening corruption and playing recklessly with our lives.
3. I pray for LA and its people. In the face of disasters like this, may they find strength in counting their blessings and discover a courage they may have never known—a courage that will last a lifetime.
Sometimes by brain/ soul gets too full of stress to absorb any more. It isn’t shutting down so much as getting a soft filter over any more stressors. I just can’t take any additions.
I did get a laugh this week tho: I’m a tutor for dyslexic students, and they rip through erasers fast. I bought a box of 244 (because for Amazon reasons, it cost less than the box of 12) A child found out that we were having a lesson on my birthday and wrapped up a partially used box of…erasers for me. “Because I know you like them!” Today another child noticed our colorful eraser and asked me if it was new. I told him who’d given it to me, sine the kids know each other. He ran to his room and excitedly brought me…a handful of erasers! (By my count I now have 169 erasers.)
I love this, Jill -- I'm picturing what 169 erasers looks like.
You are right: We don't know how to grieve, and we don't know how to show up for each other. (But showing up is good! Even if we fumble for the right words.) I suspect we're going to have more opportunities to learn how to do these things. I'm sorry for all that your cousin (and by extension, you) are going through. Congratulations on the linen closet victory! I had a similar triumph a while back with my pantry, also thanks to Ikea products. Feel lucky to have one so close to us. Yesterday my son and I were able to sit outside in the sun while we ate lunch. Sun in January in Portland is always a source of delight!
Thank you, Rita. I got to enjoy the sun on a walk with my daughter before we took her to the airport! Nice to think you and I were sharing the same delight. Some of the winter-blooming shrubs are doing their thing, and it smells amazing. And for your pantry feat: ⭐️
I've had crying sessions, but I'm better than expected. When my husband died, I had to take care of two smallish kids and untangle a financial disaster. Now my adult children are taking care of ME...and I understand finances better. Such a different place to be!
Love you! ❤️
Three things --
1. Unlike America, my country faces natural disasters as a regular part of life—typhoons, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods, and fires. Watching the situation in LA feels almost surreal, though I mean no offense. It simply deepens my appreciation for the resilience my country has developed over time.
2. However, resilience can be a double-edged sword. While it allows us to recover quickly, it has also made us vulnerable in other ways. Our capacity to endure has enabled some of our leaders to exploit that strength, deepening corruption and playing recklessly with our lives.
3. I pray for LA and its people. In the face of disasters like this, may they find strength in counting their blessings and discover a courage they may have never known—a courage that will last a lifetime.