Perfection times three
December 1, 2006
This month I had three posts that I thought were perfect. Three posts that made me think. The sort of posts that I read and then immediately re-read and thought about them later. They were all by the same fabulous writer.
I picked the following post written by Journey Mama, titled A love letter to my husband. It just spoke volumes to me about the unspoken conversations that we have. How we are all quick to find something insignificant to lump our anger on, because isn’t anger a much easier emotion to show then sadness, hurt, or feeling vulnerable.
Do you remember? (How could you forget?)
Go read the entire post.
And then while you are there read these two also:
Don’t you agree? Her words are beautiful. And so worthy of the perfect post award for November.
*****
Okay, now onto me and my own navel gazing.
I have come to realize over the course of the day yesterday when I got email after email from people who had commented on my blog and were afraid I was offended by them or by their comment, that most of the time the things that people, myself included in this, comment on are reflections of themselves, not the writer of the post. And that a lot of the most interesting things about a blog are the things the people choose not to write about… the missing pieces, the empty spaces that define the writing by it’s absence.
And so to everyone who emailed I humbly accept the apologies and explanations. And likewise I extend my own.
Of course the people who sent the worst emails, the very people that I was talking about, didn’t apologize because their intent was to be hurtful. It is only those of us who do things unintentionally that feel bad. But just like outside of this glowing box there are many more nice, funny, articulate people than there are the other kind. At least that is what I choose to believe today.
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Chris, I’ve been reading your blog since day one. Thank you for sharing a slice of your life. Sometimes you make me think we are twins seperated at birth, others I think we come from different planets. But you always make me think. Thanks for being real and for sharing it!
December 1st, 2006 at 10:10 amOh, I’m so glad you highlighted Journey Mama. I thought the exact same thing about all of those posts. People have to go read the whole post of A love letter to my husband. I so get that. I think she’s so brave to write all those things that we all (I think) wish we could say. At least I, who feels very inarticulate when I speak (and sometimes when I write)!
This is the first time I’ve posted b/c you never offend me, I guess.
I do want to tell you that I’ve been a fan since I saw the video of your daughter screaming at her birthday party. Now, when I mention something from your blog to my husband I have to say, “You know, that woman-with-the-seven-kids-who’s-daughter-
December 1st, 2006 at 10:35 amscreamed-at-her-birthday-party…” for him to have a clue who I’m talking about.
Sending you (((HUGS))), Chris! Have a wonderful day.
December 1st, 2006 at 11:19 amIt the unintentional things that seem to hurt the most. Why is that?
I’m so proud of you for rising above all the pettiness that can happen. You are truly amazing, just so you know. I’m sure that you don’t hear it enough.
December 1st, 2006 at 12:17 pmSending you a big kiss on the lips! LOL!
Loving the slices of your life that you share with us.
Jody
December 1st, 2006 at 12:31 pmSo true, my friend. Wishing yet again that things could have worked out for a meetup in Sept.
Those people? Have too much free time.
December 1st, 2006 at 1:25 pmI was worried about my comment too, when I asked if your son really said that. I so wasn’t saying you were lying - just that I can’t see my own children being clever enough to put ice on dry turkey. Sometimes your stories are just too funny. I read your archives last year in one day and neglected my children terribly for hours. The weasel song is still my all time favorite. I hope you have a good day, Chris.
December 1st, 2006 at 1:37 pmI think you are great. You always make me smile!
December 1st, 2006 at 1:51 pmYou’re an excellent writer, and very inspirational.
December 1st, 2006 at 2:25 pmmy mind is boggled, I was sick and didn’t check in earlier - I can’t believe what people take offense at. I laughed, and I’d have laughed if it was my turkey, too.
Remember - you aren’t overpopulating the world, you’re outnumbering the idiots. So don’t let them get you down! Bah on anonymous idiots - we all know how wonderful you are.
and, in the meantime, let me send you a cool holiday card.
December 1st, 2006 at 2:30 pmWell, there’s a reason you’re so popular. It’s because you’re real. And your success is bound to make some people jealous and harsh.
I will never understand why my harshest critics continue visiting my site day after day. I’d much rather they didn’t, for their sake as much as mine. Life’s too short.
Also, you’ll find that when the kids start hitting 15 or so, the rude comments on your blog will roll off of you like water. Because you’ll be spending every day of your life with alien creatures who used to love you and now look at you and speak to you like you’re the dumbest, geekiest person on the planet, so anonymous commenters will seem like nothing. I, ahem, speak from experience.
Oh, and nothing feels as good as deleting the rudest ones (commenters, not teenagers). It is your site after all.
December 1st, 2006 at 3:37 pmPeople who have to put their own issues onto other people really tick me off.
If you want to make fun of turkey, then go ahead. I wouldn’t cry if people made fun of HALF the meals I’ve cooked in my time. And really, I’ve made some doozies.
Here’s a hint, people: If you feel the need to send the nasty email or nasty comment, STEP AWAY FROM THE INTERNET.
December 1st, 2006 at 4:31 pmI love you, Chris. Can you believe that post made me cry?!?
December 1st, 2006 at 5:04 pmThank you for sharing your stories with us.
You don’t know me. You’ve never met me, never spoken to me, never seen me. But I come visit you every day. I sit down with a cup of tea, and hear what you have to say. I get to read about the lives of some ordinary people, and every day I get to smile, I get to laugh, I sometimes cry, and I get to feel like I am (almost) a part (very vicariously) of a family. Sometimes when my husband gets back from yet another business trip (he is only home weekends, if that) I share a story with him. About this family I know who live in a big house in New England and let me share their life. Thank you for being a part of my life.
December 2nd, 2006 at 12:00 amI’m glad to read this post, Chris. You know, I worry about you (in a totally non-stalker way) when people attack you and you get all bummed out, it’s good to see you stand up to them and stay your course!
December 2nd, 2006 at 8:51 amI love ya, too, girl. THANK YOU for being understanding. You have no idea how many things aren’t said on my blog, things I wish I could say.
December 2nd, 2006 at 4:49 pmThey get to me too. I think you are a wonderful writer and I really appreciate the glimpse into your life.
December 2nd, 2006 at 6:38 pmOooh, now you’ll get a bunch of people thinking “Oh, but I didn’t email to apologise. I didn’t think I had been offensive so didn’t think I needed to. Maybe I’d better email right now just in case!” hehe.
December 3rd, 2006 at 9:57 pmWell, the world is full of idiots and I seem to run into most of them. Your blog cracks me up. Your kids are hilarious. I am also one to laugh - heartily - at the things my kids say and do. Just tonight, in fact, I nearly bit a hole in my cheek! I was talking to my 8 year old about our 2 cats. One delights in harassing the other, older cat. My son looked at me, and completely innocently, said “yah, Cookie gets really p*ssed off when Sienna does that”. He had NO IDEA what it even meant. Or that we don’t say words like that in our family. Too funny. I agree with the others.. You Rock!
December 4th, 2006 at 1:56 amI just caught up on your past few posts, and whew! Am I ever glad that no one reads my blog, so I don’t have to deal with that kind of crap!
I can’t believe people were offended by that turkey comment… and I say that as a person who has had more than her share of cooking disasters. I guess a lot of people are touchy about ruining thanksgiving dinner… but people seriously need to lighten up!
December 4th, 2006 at 12:36 pmWow! I just read the post about what happened as a result of your Turkey Day post, your son is funny, don’t all 9 year olds try their best to be funny? My 10 year old still does! Either way, your family is funny too, humor sure makes life a lot more interesting.
December 5th, 2006 at 4:30 pmHmph. Sorry the online hissy-fit folk had nothing better to do than get on you for…what, yet? Can’t quite grasp the big deal, I thought your turkey story was funny and sweet.
Miss your updates! Hope life and not the online bastard-brigade are what keep you away.
December 6th, 2006 at 12:21 amYeah - missing you pretty bad on your other blog. So - you should be feeling a lot better now!
December 6th, 2006 at 4:30 amand you’ve got 7 kids - you KNOW there are idiots out there, they are the ones who say “gosh don’t you know what contraception is for?” or “oh dear are they all yours??” and so on.
Next time people are dumb, just delete them and keep the good comments. ((hugs))
Come on start blogging again Sunshine. I follow your blog through Really Just Ribbons and I need your impute on day to day life to lighten my life. I, like so many Australians can relate to your tongue in cheek family life. Just think you are doing more for international relations than all the ambassadors/diplomats combined!
December 6th, 2006 at 6:20 amEnjoy life
Carol