Controlling the effects
Saw my mom and sis this past weekend. They were happy to see us, I think.
The cat, less so…
Also saw the surgeon, his brother, and their families this past weekend at another dinner party.
Surgeon’s wife: You really should ask out French Dancer. Except, she’s really young.
Me: Yeah, really young. I’m busy enough as it is, anywho.
Her: Oh! What’s the latest?
Me: Where to begin?
A couple that I didn’t know was there and the wife commented that I was probably 34 vis-a-vis something else entirely.
Me: Well, you get a hug for that.
Her: Wait, how old are you?
Me: Almost 50.
Her: How is that possible?!
Me: (shrugging) Same as everyone else: 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For 49 years.
I often marvel at how many really good souls I’ve met in my life.
While my luck – broadly speaking – is of the stripe most people don’t want, in that small regard, I consider myself lucky.
On a related point, there were about five women that I met after Alison died. They all had a hand in helping me pull myself outta my crazy and depression, to varying degrees.
Unfortunately, I was probably the worst version of myself so it’s no surprise that none of them are really on speaking terms with me. I get that.
It’s one of my 10,000 regrets.
On that point, Lviv rang me today. After everything that went down between us, I’m touched that she still finds the time to check in on me.
I told her, honestly, that I was grateful.
Me: Before you left, you said, very simply, “Love shouldn’t be this hard,” [about a messy situationship I was in]. I appreciate that and you. Thanks for that.
Her: Aww it’s good to hear, I just want you to be happy.
She didn’t realize what a profound effect her throwaway line had on me. In fact, it’s probably the main reason everything in my life has been so different – and better – these past several months.
Of course, she’s part of my possible pasts. I wonder what woulda happened between us if things were different.
I wonder about so many things that were just-ever-so-slightly outside of my control.
Boy: Why’s he so mean?
Me: I dunno, kid. Here’s the thing, though: You can’t control other people and how they treat you. But you can control how you let things affect you. Pretty soon, you won’t care. So, you can start not caring right now.
Him: OK. I’ll try.
Location: earlier today, chatting up a tall singer named Izzy in a park
Mood: hopeful
Music: I’m out of my mind but I’m feeling just fine (Spotify)
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