Life is interesting.
I say that a lot. Sometimes it's intended in a good way; other times not so much. But whichever the case, it is never, ever dull. Which, I suppose, is a good thing. Wouldn't want to get bored to death, would I? No. Hell, for me, is not a lake of fire and brimstone. Hell is boredom. Thus, even if it is happy to sit on a cloud and play a harp, if that's all I get to look forward to in the next life, I'll skip it just the same.
Went to AZ to visit my sister. She's been in the hospital for about a month due to some health issues. Well, obviously, they're health issues. But these health issues are lingering effects of other, related health issues. If it sounds like I'm being vague, I am - I don't want to get into it too much because it really just makes me sad. But she was looking better, and it was fun to see her light up when we (one of my brothers and a sister came a long with me) walked into the room. We totally surprised her! :) My mom has been there with her for a couple of weeks, and she was delighted as well. It was also good to help out with their new house (Andy and I helped with some cabinets/counter tops) and mostly it was just good to be there.
Andy and I got a lot of time to talk. Andy is about a year and a half younger than me. That means for most kids that we should have been rivals. But in our case, we were best of friends. Andy is a great guy - we don't agree on almost anything, but we can still find ways to love and tease each other. Even after all these years, and even after everything that's gone down in our lives... Because life is interesting, and it seldom turns out the way one would wish. I don't know why that's the case - why do the best of plans and intentions often go awry? And why do good people have to struggle? And why can't I just get over the stupid fact that stupid things happen? I don't know. You'd have to be smarter than I am...
Andy started teaching this year. High school math. I don't know how to even respond to that. On one hand, Andy has always been awesome - he's way smarter than anyone (except me) ever gave him credit for, and he's awesome with kids. I think that's partly due to the fact that he's a kid himself, but I also suspect that it's largely due to the fact that Andy really loves people. He's a sensitive soul, not unlike his big brother, and he genuinely cares about people. He comes off all tough and whatever, but those of us who know him also know that it's a sham... The way he's so broken up about his son being gone on a mission is testament to that fact. But because he cares about people, and because he treats people with a genuine, heart-felt respect, people respond to that. And I'm so very proud of him.
He struggles. I struggle. I don't know anyone who doesn't. Well, my wife, maybe... ;) I find that struggling fosters empathy and love for our fellow travelers, and it helps to make one feel like one is a part of a great human family - a family of strugglers, to be sure, but a family nonetheless... And that's important, because it gives a person hope and confidence in the midst of struggles, and it helps one's desire and ability to reach out to others in their time of need.
Which is what a brother really does. Which is what a friend really does.
So the only way to really be a true friend is to struggle a little. Or a lot. And then use the empathy learned from such experiences to help bolster and love others. And with that perspective, maybe even the worst struggles are put in proper perspective. Maybe. I don't know. I'm still puzzling that one out.
All I really know is, I love you, dear reader, whomever you are. May your struggles be lightened in the hope and knowledge that you do not struggle alone.
I say that a lot. Sometimes it's intended in a good way; other times not so much. But whichever the case, it is never, ever dull. Which, I suppose, is a good thing. Wouldn't want to get bored to death, would I? No. Hell, for me, is not a lake of fire and brimstone. Hell is boredom. Thus, even if it is happy to sit on a cloud and play a harp, if that's all I get to look forward to in the next life, I'll skip it just the same.
Went to AZ to visit my sister. She's been in the hospital for about a month due to some health issues. Well, obviously, they're health issues. But these health issues are lingering effects of other, related health issues. If it sounds like I'm being vague, I am - I don't want to get into it too much because it really just makes me sad. But she was looking better, and it was fun to see her light up when we (one of my brothers and a sister came a long with me) walked into the room. We totally surprised her! :) My mom has been there with her for a couple of weeks, and she was delighted as well. It was also good to help out with their new house (Andy and I helped with some cabinets/counter tops) and mostly it was just good to be there.
Andy and I got a lot of time to talk. Andy is about a year and a half younger than me. That means for most kids that we should have been rivals. But in our case, we were best of friends. Andy is a great guy - we don't agree on almost anything, but we can still find ways to love and tease each other. Even after all these years, and even after everything that's gone down in our lives... Because life is interesting, and it seldom turns out the way one would wish. I don't know why that's the case - why do the best of plans and intentions often go awry? And why do good people have to struggle? And why can't I just get over the stupid fact that stupid things happen? I don't know. You'd have to be smarter than I am...
Andy started teaching this year. High school math. I don't know how to even respond to that. On one hand, Andy has always been awesome - he's way smarter than anyone (except me) ever gave him credit for, and he's awesome with kids. I think that's partly due to the fact that he's a kid himself, but I also suspect that it's largely due to the fact that Andy really loves people. He's a sensitive soul, not unlike his big brother, and he genuinely cares about people. He comes off all tough and whatever, but those of us who know him also know that it's a sham... The way he's so broken up about his son being gone on a mission is testament to that fact. But because he cares about people, and because he treats people with a genuine, heart-felt respect, people respond to that. And I'm so very proud of him.
He struggles. I struggle. I don't know anyone who doesn't. Well, my wife, maybe... ;) I find that struggling fosters empathy and love for our fellow travelers, and it helps to make one feel like one is a part of a great human family - a family of strugglers, to be sure, but a family nonetheless... And that's important, because it gives a person hope and confidence in the midst of struggles, and it helps one's desire and ability to reach out to others in their time of need.
Which is what a brother really does. Which is what a friend really does.
So the only way to really be a true friend is to struggle a little. Or a lot. And then use the empathy learned from such experiences to help bolster and love others. And with that perspective, maybe even the worst struggles are put in proper perspective. Maybe. I don't know. I'm still puzzling that one out.
All I really know is, I love you, dear reader, whomever you are. May your struggles be lightened in the hope and knowledge that you do not struggle alone.
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