Cold November Rain

First of all, I received a reminder that I hadn’t written anything in almost a year. That’s not strictly true: I’ve written tons, but nothing I’ve felt worth wasting anyone’s time. So: my apologies if this is a little clunky.

My dad - as I’m sure is true of all dads - has some catchphrases. Driving past a field, you’ll likely hear a “HAY!” or “a MOO-ving experience” (depending on the field) come from the front seat. A less funny one I heard a lot growing up was “You guys don’t know how lucky you’ve got it”. I never understood it until my sister got sick. Even then, I only understood that I didn’t understand at the time. Experience is the only thing you get after you needed it.

I found this painting amongst the things left behind from the person that occupied my apartment before me. It’s not big, a few inches square, but the message boils down to the same essence. It’s easy to get caught up in our so-called problems. Will it snow? Will tourists clog up the lines? Is she going to call? Is anyone going to?

This time of year is always difficult for me - gray day after gray day, waiting for the moment we can finally go skiing again. Until then, the days get shorter and colder… and oh yeah! Daylight Savings Time ends! Or begins. Whatever. It’s dumb, and it’s foolish to pretend otherwise. (“Only a fool would cut the bottom of his blanket off, sew it to the top, and believe he has a longer blanket.) I’m getting sidetracked, but my point is: Shit could be worse. No one in my family has died of the international health crisis we’ve all been dealing with, most of my cousins’ children are now eligible for the vaccination, I personally am in some of the best shape of my life… and it’s snowing. We’re all feeling a little down, and none of us want to bother anyone with our problems, but isn’t it better to suffer together than alone?

The other side of “misery loves company” is “Let’s go grab a coffee.”