Strong Message

Wifey and I went to the Book Fair last night, along with our friend and neighbor Jody. Wifey looks up to Jody, the mother of 5 wonderful kids, because of the way Jody is sort of a Mom/CEO with her family --keeping track of all of them, helping them with their lives, and giving non stop love.

The three of us took the train to the Metro Mover and ended up at Miami Dade college for a lecture by Jeannette Walls. I haven't read her book, but it's a best seller about a miserable, deprived childhood, and the fact that Walls hid it from her succesful co workers and friends for so long.

She had a lot of wisdom to share, but one message resonated with me: all of us in America come from pretty tough stock. Our grandparents, or great grandparents, or parents, had the wherewithal to emigrate here, to start new lives. She gave the examples of Irish fleeing the Great Potato Famine, or Jews fleeing the Nazis.

So, she said, even though we may lead spoiled privileged lives, we have to reach back to the "tough old broads," or "tough old coots" from whom we came, in order to deal with whatever comes our way.

She also believes, as I do, that those who overcome difficulties are at an advantage over those who don't. so long as we keep the positive in mind. It's foolish to welcome difficulty or tragedy, but once we deal with it, we strenghten --the old whatever diesn't kill me makes me stronger philosophy.

Anyway --it was a fine evening, with a glib and delightful speaker.

Wifey related this message to Very Old Mom, and how she's a survivor. She buried my father (well, not really --she got a letter confirming the ocean disposal of his cremated remains, but same thing) as well as a long time companion, Max.

She's blessed to have been left by my father in decent shape, financially, and to have a lot of help from us. Still --she just keeps chugging along, typically looking on the bright side of life, as the funny "Spamalot" song urges.

D2's heading to D.C. tomorrow, for a high school journalist trip. She hasn't been there since she was 4, and was only interested in chasing squirrels on the Mall.

That means Wifey and I will have an empty nest, and I think we may just head to a few more Book Fair events. It's to me, the most wonderful time of the year...