My son woke up this morning and his world was “normal.” He was loaded up in the van to head to school. As far as he was concerned, everything was just peachy — until suddenly the van got off at a different exit. It didn’t go to his school; it went to a giant, frightening building. He was taken into funny-smelling room with funny-looking people and suddenly all hell broke loose. Nasty tasting medicine was shot into his mouth. He was torn away from his protective father and then the world went dark. He woke up and was confused. Pain shot through his body. A needle was in his hand. He was in a different new room. He was disoriented and scared. His family was there to hold him, but he was still shaken. What the heck was happening to him?
How many of us have gone through something like that lately? I know I have. I got my world rocked last week — and I know millions of other Americans have recently, too. Just watch the news each night. Layoffs and furloughs are sweeping across the land. Cuts are made. Dreams die. But as I think about my own situation, I think about what I saw my son go through today and realized the little guy played it just right.
1. When you get your world rocked, it’s OK to be mad about it. No one expects you to be completely stoic when you get dumped on. Be angry. Vent. Cry. Throw a fit. Be three. But vent, cry and throw a fit to those closest to you. They’re the ones that truly care. Have a team of friends and family there for you. Put them on speed dial. They’re the ones who will hold you, support you and tell you they have your back. I held my son as he was recovering. My family and friends held me.
2. Heal. You’ve just been through trauma. My son had tubes put in his ears and his adenoids removed. I had my dreams altered. Both of us suffered temporary pain that will lead to long-term good. He took a long nap today and took really good medicine. I took a couple days to mourn and vented to people who love me. It’s OK to heal your wounds before moving on. I didn’t expect my son to hop up and press on. He had to get past what he went through. I did, too.
3. Get over it. The amazing thing to me is by the evening, my son was nearly back to his old self. Kids are wonderful like that. They don’t dwell on past hurts. They just go one being kids. They look for wonder. They look for the next great thing. They don’t stop being kids because something hurt. So your world got rocked. What good does it do to be bitter about it? Not much. Sure, you have a right. My son has a right to pee in my shoe for what happened to him today. But he won’t. He’s going to move on with his life and go on to the next great adventure. I think I will, too.
Write a children’s book about overcoming. I promise to read it to my grand kids. Well OK I will read it for my self but I have to use grand kids as an excuse to read a children’s book.
Absolutely fabulous post!
I agree with Cliff with one exception. Make it a comic book for slightly older kids. The little ones already know this but kids are conditioned to get over it.
What wonderful words!!! Cliff may actually have something there?
Great post. Glad you found the wisdom to make the analogy…praying for you Marshall. Go Vols!
I love starting my day with your humor and wisdom! Thanks for starting this blog and I look forward to great things from you in the future! Hope the little one snaps back quickly. . . what am I saying? Kids always bounce back faster than adults! BTW, how’s the toe?
Toe is getting better. Think I might start running again as soon as I finish off my other son’s Birthday Cookie Cake.
The parallels are striking.
Nice work, my friend.
Marshall, you are almost as talented a writer as you are a cartoonist. I say “almost” because in my opinion you are one of the most talented cartoonists ever to pick up a pen.
thanks Marshall. You inspired me today.
I can relate to this. I was four and had my adenoids taken out too. Ive also suffered from asthma for most of my life. I just live life to the fullest and never let a day go by without doing something eventful. Your right about keeping close friends they are always there when you need them the most. Also about family. My family has always been there for me. The day i had the adenoids surgery, I had to stay at the hospital for a few nights and was in a huge crib like bed. My parents and my grandma would switch around who would sleep with me in the bed every night til I got to go home, becuz it was big enough to fit them too. My other grandma brought me a me-size stuffed dog that I named humphrey. Im now 19 and I still have humphrey. Most things come and go but friends and family never do. They are always right by ur side through thick and thin.
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