Pages

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Hit by a Truck

"When you realize that your sole purpose in life is to entertain the gods, there is nothing to do, but put on a good show."

I seem to write quite a few blog posts in my head these days. Usually it's because I don't have access to my blog and then, later, I have forgotten what I wanted to tell you. I am learning that one should write about an event as soon as possible after it occurs, or it will start to merge with the next event, and the next.. and then a new story happens and life gets a little confusing. I have tried very hard NOT to write anything about personal things that seem to disturb a small handful of my readers, but some of these things kind of build up and I need to get them out so I can get back to what I am supposed to be thinking about. I am also learning that if I try hard to NOT think about "pink elephants," as I have been taught, that the Universe has a way of tossing pink elephants directly in front of me. "What are you talking about?!" (feel free to skip to the next post, by the way, my feelings won't be hurt if you don't tell me that you skipped ahead.). ;-)

So here is my pink elephant.

Yesterday was my book signing at Mill Brook Gallery - I'll put that in the next post... I was overwhelmed, amazed, flattered, totally stoked, and absolutely terrified - all at the same time. I was sweating uncontrollably, but generally doing OK, until a person commented that she was really proud of me for holding up so well and having accomplished so much this year... "despite what I had gone through." I smiled and said "I'm fine." (I have a pillow in my studio with a dead cow, feet in the air, and the words "Really, I'm fine...") I pictured that cow, but it turned into the pink elephant. No matter how many excited, Zentangle addicted kids and parents I talked to after that - people who were so excited just to talk to ME. ME!? I couldn't stop thinking about failure. How many books, signings, classes, shows... how many successes does it take to make up for one major failure? (And who exactly am I trying to placate?)

To celebrate my "success", I went to see the movie, Crazy, Stupid, Love. I just knew it was a comedy. I didn't realize it was another little joke from the Universe about pink elephants. It was actually a really great movie - I just wish it hadn't hit so close to home: A couple who have been together for 20-something years gets divorced. They have a 13 year-old son and a little daughter who wears tutus and fairy wings. The wife asks for the divorce. I should have left - but the twisting stories and love triangles were quite funny and endearing. And I was really curious to find out how it all turned out. I won't tell you. Except that I have to admit I was really discouraged by the message of soul-mates and fighting for the one you truly love. 

So I spent the rest of the evening trying to figure out where I started making the mistakes, or even if they were my mistakes. My mom told me I was being silly and this stuff just happens. Yeh, I know that... That's where I feel like I failed. My daughter is about the same age I was, when my parents split. 99% of kids would rather have two parents, living together, and absolutely miserable - than those same two parents, separate but happy. And no matter what you tell the kids, they will still believe that it was their fault.

The only people who really got a good deal here were my kids. Even though they only spend half a week with each of us, they now get a heck of a lot more time with their dad. And he takes them on trips and to museums, miniature golf, barbeques, and all the places that divorced dads typically take their kids. The irony is, now that they have their dad's attention, they have to share it. Another joke from the Universe. Whatta sense of humor. And they actually get less time with mom, because she has to work more.

I've mentioned before that I am very introverted - and I have noticed that whenever I have a social event or teach a class, the next morning I have a "social hangover". I feel like I've been drinking all night. I feel like I have been hit by a truck. So I crawled into bed last night, thinking TOO MUCH, and blaming it on the full moon, expecting to feel terrible in the morning, and wishing I could get that movie out of my head... I'd only been asleep for a few hours when...

I was awake at 5am to the sound of brakes screeching, something smashing, and was that a... SCREAM!? @#$%!!?  My teeny cottage has a forest behind, Rte. 114 directly in front, and a lake on the other side of the road. I was sure a car had crashed into my house! I flew to the window and saw mist coming off the postcard-looking lake, but a large van, the telephone company-type, was pulled onto the side of the road. The van-guy was cursing, punching numbers on his cell and picking up debris from the road - all at the same time. He told the police that he had hit a deer, he was fine, didn't need an ambulance, but the deer was still alive and had run into the lake. My neighbor, Harry did the right thing and came out to see if the guy was OK, then called someone to come shoot the deer. Oh God.

I closed my windows, turned on the air conditioner to mask any more noises and hid in my bed. And now I couldn't stop thinking about that poor deer. She just wanted to drink from the lake. Who is out driving at 5am? She saw her goal and ran for it. Blind-sided. Hit by a truck. The Universe laughs again. Everyone feels sorry for the poor guy in the van. The deer is "put out of her misery". And Van-guy serves venison steaks to his girlfriend this weekend.

If my life were a movie (maybe it is?), my character would have run outside to provide support and understanding to the hot Van-guy. Ripped my pajama pants into strips to bind up his gushing wounds - from the horns (antlers?) of the crazed buck who had attacked his truck. We would have fallen madly in love, discovered we were true soul mates... and he would have grilled up the venison burgers for ME. Naturally - he loves to cook, right?

Well, Universe, it's a good thing that I have a sense of humor too. I refuse to become that sour, cynical, bitch. But maybe you don't need to try so hard, OK? On with the show.

(that reminds me of a quote from Mother Theresa, I think: "God never gives you more than he thinks you can handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much.")

16 comments:

  1. Always remember, Sandy, that even when things are going on a downhill day, there are people out here who love and support you. :) And that quote from Mother Theresa is right on. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you so much for sharing. You are a talented writer and artist and very inspirational.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have a big hug fr you too {{{{HUG}}}
    Dee
    Sydney, Australia
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Whew! I'm new to your site, just recently discovering Zentangles. I could just ignore your story, like some will but I'd rather suggest getting Eckhart Tolle's A NEW EARTH. Four years ago I had a tragedy in my life and this book really gave some insights to looking at things from a different perspective. From my heart to yours, it has made all the difference in how I dealt with it then and where I am now. Give it a look ... my best to you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your gonna be okay woman for the Universe tells me so....... :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well Sandy after all that you gave me a chuckle!
    'HE' would also ride a Harley and you would zoom off into the sunset together!!! (Second thoughts, you might not like bikes) but "oh sigh" for a man who loves to cook!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I suspect that those kids would would rather have two parents together and miserable have only experienced the separate but happy variety and they think together in any situation must be better. Not so. Hang in there. This too shall pass, although a time warp would be nice!
    --Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  8. thank you for sharing what sounds like a challenging day! *hugs*

    i never thought about the social hangover, i totally get those too!

    hang in there! i hope the pink elephant brings you flowers tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh my dear. I have been where you are. It does get better. My husband of 20 years left almost 3 and a half years ago. I, too, felt like a failure but I have realized that I'm not. You need to realize that too. It's best to deal with the anger and grief head on, though. While it's painful to go through, if you will do it, you will find that it lessens greatly.

    I have even come to a point where I've forgiven my ex and am friends of a sort with him. You are right that he will be in your life forever because of the kids. But it is also important to remember that success and happiness without him is the best revenge! Not that I'm into revenge of course!

    I was told recently that the universe only tests the strong ones. So I guess we must be strong!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I laughed and I cried as I read your story! Been there, done that and have the battle scars to prove it! But I too can say that you will find peace within yourself soon...it's coming!
    I hope some day you decide to write a book...you remind me of Janet Evonovich and I love her books. If you haven't read them, do...they will make you laugh and show you the humor in bloopers. Start from the beginning with "One for the Money".
    So very proud of your accomplishments and when I met you, I would NEVER had believed you are an introvert!! LOL
    Hugs, hugs and more hugs, Char B / CZT #6

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sandy, you were my first inspiration for zentangle from your CPS article a few years ago. I so respect your talent and energy - and wonder if the downer lady was maybe talking about your health problems? It is difficult to write and illustrate a book when you can't see. :) congrats on your success! Peggy czt v

    ReplyDelete
  12. You guys crack me up! :-) I just downloaded the books Char and Denise recommended. I read really slowly, but I love listening to Audible books while I am working. And Shelly, no bike for me - even with a hot guy on it, you're right. Peggy - the downer lady was referring to my divorce. I don't think she meant to be mean. I know I'm too thin-skinned. I need a positive answer and a better image in my head so I don't keep getting side-tracked.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  14. truck hids i like your blog really and hats up you on this blog so thank you for sharing it with us

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails