By Fred Prout
Stuff! We’ll call it that. But you’ll understand there is a more descriptive word.
It’s the nasty stuff that gets in our head, from time to time, and turns a bright, sunny day cloudy. It makes us negative. Blue. Depressed. We all go through it.
It’s part of our nature. It can hit us at any time. Sixty to zero in no seconds flat.
Intellectually, we understand that if we are able to read, have enough food, and
a friend, we are among the most fortunate creatures in the world. Reality can be different. Big time.
And Ice Cream Castles In The Air
In extreme circumstances, it’s like falling into a pit. Sometimes climbing out takes grit and determination. You almost make it. Then fall back. Seemingly deeper. But, however you did it, you got out. Maybe more than once. Maybe with the help of someone you love. Maybe not. If you haven’t had this experience, don’t delete this. Print it out and save it for if and when.
And Feathered Canyons Everywhere
Sometimes you have to work at finding a story. Sometimes it just whoops you upside the head, and, says TELL ME !!! My daughter, Janette, recently sent me a video clip of Joni Mitchell performing “ Both Sides Now “ at a folk festival. I have always been a huge fan of her music and poetry. Last I heard, she had suffered an aneurysm and was, at best, a semi-functioning person. Not one of the most important singer-songwriters of a generation.
I Looked At Clouds That Way
She was in the pit. Again. For over twenty years.
But Now They Only Block The Sun
Her story is available if you want to find it. It involves many pits. Many hard climbs.
Broken nails. Bleeding fingers.Unbelievable success. I watched the video clip several times. You could see the tears of people in the background. Tears of joy. Tears of shared pain. I wept with them. Every time.
They Rain And Snow On Everyone
You ask: “Where is this going? “ Maybe nowhere. Maybe, like me, you have memories of the deepening of the pit every time you have to muscle your way out. The broken fingernails. Toenails. The rewards of succeeding. The scars becoming trophies.
Maybe a very few of you have never had these experiences. Have no idea what I’m talking about. I envy you. I feel sorry for you. Even though you can’t relate, keep these words anyway. You never know. If you ever need them, hopefully, they will help. Knowing you can get out might be important.
Well Something’s Lost, But Something’s Gained, In Living Every Day
—
Fred Prout
No truer words written. Thank you for a most wonderfully written piece!
Great piece of writing Fred- and yes, I HAVE been there..it’s not fun!…But with help of family and friends, God, and some wonderful professionals, I think I know the warning signs of “the pit”, and try to stop the fall before I’m at the bottom!!! It takes a LONG time sometimes to crawl out and experience a sense of normalcy! One can’t do it alone- we have to accept that we “need a little help from our friends” from time to time …Thank goodness for those who are willing to lend a hand and travel the hard road with us until we can find our way again! Thank you for your encouraging words that someone might need..more people need to be talking about those times! p.s. Judy Collins did have a beautiful voice!
I agree with Dar. So eloquently spoken and touching. . Blessings
Lately, having already lost loved ones, and with relatives & acquaintances on the brink of medical disasters, plus having my own 80th drawing closer and closer, I find myself humming, (off key of course), Tim McGraw’s song:
“He said “I was in my early 40s, with a lot of life before me
When a moment came that stopped me on a dime
I spent most of the next days, looking at the x-rays
Talkin’ ’bout the options and talkin’ ’bout sweet times”
I asked him when it sank in, that this might really be the real end
How’s it hit ya when you get that kind of news?
Man whatcha do?
He said
“I went skydiving
I went rocky mountain climbing
I went two point seven seconds on a bull named “Fu Man Chu”
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denyin’ ”
And he said: “Some day I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin’ “”
Don’t know about the bull riding, but I DID jump out of a perfectly functioning ‘plane…..once.
Joni Mitchell was and is still a woman warrior. I have always loved her wisdom and her poetry in song. I saw that video of Joni and was once again inspired.
You outdid yourself again. Wonderfully put. I had forgotten that song. Thanks for the reminder.
Fred, you’re one of a kind. Wonderful. I love that song , but you didn’t use my favorite lines! Jackie
Along with others ‘Thank you’ we need your reminders every now and then.
Very well written and so much in need these days. The isolation of COVID on top of the everyday things that happen as we age has been hard on all of us. Thank you for your words, Fred.
That was absolutely fabulous, one of
your best Fred. I anxiously await for your
articles. You are truly amazing. Love
that song. Thank you so much for
making my day. Hugs to you and Miss
Kelly.
Sisyphus knew that feelingSteve B.. I hope he finally made it to see the top.
Wonderful! ❤️❤️❤️❣️