Wednesday, September 10, 2008

I Beg to Differ


People criticize the internet. Email. Websites. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter Bitter and Blog. (Ooh! Dibs! Great name for a blog. Or a legal firm.) They say it's impersonal, that the big bad world has gotten small with pockets, that instead of communicating face to face we now sit behind our monitors and emote to the click of a keyboard. But here's the thing: I don't know how I would have gotten through these last few days without you. Yes, you. You there eating the Rice Krispy treat and you, I see you, the one picking your nose? Thank you. Of course I am not through anything real yet. It takes a Laffy Taffy stretch of a week to get the results, but guess what? It's Day 2.0 and I love you for being there.

And I can't believe I'm saying this, and in public, no less, but my mom is right. (If you don't know what I'm talking about read her comment on the post below. How will you know which one is my mother? *snort* Look for the novel.) Growing up my mother sang along to every song with a beautiful voice but the wrong lyrics. Ever heard of the Top 40 hit by The Police Sausage in a Bottle? Yeah, no one has but Judy. And when I was in college I called to see if she had any of the English Lit. books I needed before I went to the store to buy them. She said she had I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and that she'd send it to me overnight. The next day I opened a package containing I Heard the Owl Call My Name. Toe-may-toe, toe-mah-toe, but today she got it right. I need to live as if everything is hunky dory because today? Today it is. Today I am going home to my Petunia Faced Girl. Today I am going to eat guacamole and chips with my husband outside on the deck as the sun goes down. Then I am going to take my mom's advice and DO IT. I heard the owl call my name and it's telling me to take that sausage out of the bottle.
Image above by the fabulously talented Chris Piascik.

17 comments:

benson said...

I was just thinking of you on my way home from the grocery store (random...but I truly was!) and thought how "Susannah should listen to her mother...she's going to worry herself to death if she doesn't. If it's something to worry about then worry about it when you know...not before." I'm a mom to 20+ year olds...listen to your mother :) I'll be thinking of you at other random times and hoping for only the best things in life for you and yours.

Anonymous said...

You go girl!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

guess i'll do it too... my husband thanks you.

Miss to Mrs said...

We should all probably listen to your mom and that owl. I know the worry is still there but, be strong and don't let the worry win.

Unknown said...

"Worry is praying for what you don't want to happen." - Grandfather David, Hopi elder.

JackeeG4glamorous said...

Yeah, Sus, Your mom needs a blog! And I can say that because it was because of my daughter that I got a blog. And then I found yours and well, I can't go a day without reading yours, as you well know, because if you say, accidently delete yours, I was searching the obits in CA for any news of a Petunia faced girl...ha! I'm a little dramatic.

But, your mom is right, your blog BFF's are right, take each day and love the hell out of it.
Deal with ick on an ick-to-ick basis.

Anonymous said...

Susannah, you've got gooooood peeps here on PT (to all above and below to come.)

Now, go Carpe the Sausage!


Love,

Your bro.


P.S. In the high spirit of me always outing my sister's not-so-secret evil sense of humor...

FACT- Did you know she left a condom on my pillow on my wedding night... Awe, how considerate of my big Sis... thing is it had safety pins stuck all through it and a note from "Zoey" saying, "Now go make me some Cousins."

Robin said...

I never read my blogs at work (too many to read, too much work to do) so I was thinking of you as I left the office today, hoping you would have an update, but this is as good as an update because it reminds us all that we need to embrace each day for what it is and live it.

I'll be thinking of you.

Anonymous said...

Your dear mother's blog makes much sense...glad you're listening to her! I thought about you alot today, each time said a prayer for you.

Worry is like paying on a debt you don't owe!

Judy said...

I. AM. SO. PROUD. OF. YOU!!!!!! (And Bry owes me big).

I love you so much and I especially love it when I see Super Sus come out-whether as Ethyl Merman belting out a song or YOU taking back your immense power. And, Big Bro, light of my life Son, you constantly amaze me as well and I could...do cry when I see you here for your adoring Sis making us laugh. And, er, you DID use the safety pinned condom, right? And then there's HEJ. He doesn't say much but every word packs a wallop. What a spectacular family we have...crazy, yup....dysfunctional, yup. But, Oh the LOVE! Sus, Andy Boy, Hej, let me join you again in saying what a gift all these PF Blog supporters and friends are. Fo me, the world feels like a little kinder and a little more gentle and loving place because of this entire group... from our Sus who isn't afraid to put her innermost feelings out for the world to see with a writing ability that makes me gasp to every other family, friend and commentor be you a co-blogger or just a fan. It's a pretty spectacular phenomenon-the internet as a cozy, supportive place of love, honesty and friendship. WOW!

And, WOW upside down is.....MOM!

Jennifer said...

Wow--your mom is amazing! You're lucky to have her and wise to take her advice!

Glad to hear you have an upbeat attitude and hoping your wait goes by quickly so you can get your clean bill of health and put all this behind you!

inhabit said...

I'm so happy and relieved that everyone's support has given you the strength to power through this week. I have a friend going through the exact same torturous wait as you RIGHT NOW and I can't stop thinking about the both of you. It will be o.k. It will be o.k. IT WILL BE O.K.

Jessie said...

Sus, I know this may not make you feel any better, but this recent string of comments and posts has given me hope. Just for life in general... after a time that has not been so hopeful for me.

I am truly hoping for the most perfect test results, and will be here waiting for you to share them with us as soon as you know!

Sarah said...

Not sure who's blog led me to yours but this post made me laugh out loud-- love that. I shall return. The photos in your most recent post are amazing- there is a chance I might have to poach them for my blog. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery???

Sarah said...

ps- your mom seems pretty fantastic & dishes out great advice, slam dunk.

Anonymous said...

Yes, you go girl! We are here and we do care. Reading your blog is always a joy. Your outlook is real, amusing, thoughtful, sincere and always gives me something to think about. And, mothers know best, right? At least that is what I tell my daughter. :)

Erin said...

Ha! Thank you, Oh brother Andy, for that awesome tidbit! That is funny, and such a very Susannah thing to do.