Here I go pulling from Billy Shakes for a second time this week. This morning we have a line out of Hamlet.
In life, just like a Shakespearean drama, trouble rarely shows up one at a time. Most often, it piles on.
I’m not turning this Chalkboard into a pity party. Tragedy shows up when it wants, not when it is convenient, and when it does, it doesn’t nibble… it feasts.
What matters is how we handle the grief and the sorrow. We can’t bullshit ourselves, but we can take steps to keep it from swallowing us whole.
Ice cream helps for me. So does prayer and an old episode of Benny Hill. Nothing better than a bowl of pralines and cream, a Hail Mary, and a British comedy that centers around boobs.
Today is May 1st. Looking at that temperature, it feels more like March than May. It is also Silver Star Day, a day to honor those who have been recognized for real courage. The kind most of us will never be asked to show.
So let’s finish the week strong.
Get yourself a bowl of ice cream. Say a couple Our Fathers. Jewish friends, you are off the hook here, Shabbat Shalom.
Close out your Friday with something that makes you laugh and reminds you of younger memories that have grown old with you.
Gusto and astonishment.
