A VERY MARTIAN CHRISTMAS 2017
Before I even begin, I will disclaim that if you have not seen the movie, The Martian, you may wonder about my well-being, in this letter...fear not - I am only ordinarily unstable as ever... :) Watch the Martian - it is worth your time!
Early on in 2017, Darrell & I re-watched the movie, The Martian. I am certainly not one to base my life's inspiration on the laurels of movie writers, even if they are epic. However, many times, in the past months, the crumbs I have followed, through the twisting trail of life, were bits & pieces left by 'The Martian.' Somehow Andy Weir, Drew Goddard & Matt Damon reminded me to "just begin." Their quotes came to mind & inspired me onward!
Quote: "At some point, everything's gonna go south on you...now, you can either accept that or you can get to work. That's all it is. YOU JUST BEGIN. You do the math (they almost lost me here - I hate math!) You solve one problem...& you solve the next one...& then the next. And if you solve enough problems, you get to come home."
ON JUST BEGINNING: This quote reminds me a lot of home renovations! If you ever stop & take a look at the whole project, you could get to feeling stuck, overwhelmed...alone on Mars... -but- the minute you 'just begin' redoing one carpet, painting one wall, fixing one bathroom...you've started turning that whole project into one manageable job at a time. It's certain that you will almost 'blow yourself up,' in your own Martian way, during the process. Contractors will fail you, do-overs happen, wrong sizes are ordered, toilet tanks break, tiles are crooked... -but- you solve enough problems & complete enough projects & pretty soon that first fixer upper, you bought, is a home!!
Congrats, Jovi & Alexis, on such an awesome year of home renos!!
Quote: "It has been seven days since I ran out of ketchup...!"
ON RUNNING OUT OF KETCHUP: I guess this quote stuck to me partially & simply because I love ketchup. Only recently, however, have I discovered how much sugar is in it. Drat!! But, moreover, we are always going to run out of ketchup. The thing that makes that 'good moment' a 'complete moment' will always be a challenge! The wedding will be picture perfect! You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll reach down & touch all your emotions -but- the wind coming across the water, blowing in on you & your guests, will be frigid! The lack of ketchup will try to squelch your whole wonderful experience! NO WAY!! Be a martian! Sit on the bench, cuddle close to your loved ones & drink in the most beautiful, emotionally-authentic, heart-warming & perfect wedding ceremony ever!!
Congrats, Lew & Jenny on your marriage October 14, 2017!!
Quote: "It's been 48 sols since I planted the potatoes, (in poop!!) So now it's time to reap and re-sow. They grew even better than I expected!"
ON PLANTING POTATOES IN POO: On our worst day...we are not alone, alone on Mars to boot, trying to plant potatoes in poo! You may have just moved to Toronto, barely started a brand new job & found an apartment that you haven't even moved into, only to fully rupture your patella, playing basketball for fun... :( You now need surgery, different casts, leg braces, crutches & several months of physio... -but- you remembered that you are a Martian, you called NASA & they sent their very best & capable help...your Mom!!! We 'scienced the heck' out of that knee, with the help of some of Toronto's finest medical folks & you are ahead of schedule in your recovery!!
Congrats, Anson!! You are long since on your way 'back home' to a complete recovery! And you didn't let your 'potatoes in poo' moment slow you down. We look forward, with you, to all this New Year has in store!!
Quote: "Do you believe in God Vincent? Yeah, yeah...my father was a Hindu, my mother's a Baptist, so yeah, I believe in several..."
ON BELIEVING: This one, of course, popped right out at me. Vincent recounted what his parents believed. But, what did he believe?? I am not perfectly faithful day to day. -but- I have decided for myself on what I believe. And, when I'm stuck on Mars, in my life, I'm awfully glad to have the God of the universe there with me!! By that, I mean the creator of heaven & earth, the one born of the virgin Mary, who suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died & was buried, who rose again & is now in the heavenly realms, who will come again to judge the living & the dead---that guy!!
Quote: Every time something goes wrong, the world forgets why we fly!!"
ON WHY WE FLY: This is a NASA analogy, of course, but it applies to all of us, when life throws curve balls, foul balls & even when we are "hit by pitch." Why are we surprised? We aren't here just for the home runs, for the sunshine & happiness. We are hard-wired for the strike-outs, for the storms! I forget 'why I fly' all of the time...in fact, pretty much every time life gets tough, I forget. You could say I have difficultimers, [noun - the inability to remember that hardship, in life, is predictable, if not certain, & that lack of awareness that suggests you have been here before, resulting in shock or disbelief] Take that Websters!!
I imagine some of you have felt 'stuck on Mars' in your life, in the past year, as well. Unfortunately, I suspect we all have our 'Martian' moments. I hope Christmas was a good gathering of friends & family, for you all, & that 2018 has begun to reveal her charms kindly & gently. I know, for many, in my own family, she has already proved herself to be very harsh & unkind. Forget about her & try to wrap yourself in 'believing' with the strength you have. You know who you are. And our continued & constant prayers & loving thoughts are with you...
Join me, if you will this (almost) New Year as I try to remember:
- why we fly
- that we all run out of ketchup
- to have faith
- on our worst day, we are not planting potatoes in poo
Take heart friends & fam...take heart!!
Simply awesome!! ❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteThx girl :) And for taking the time to read... xo
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