Tuesday, June 26, 2012

GBE2 Challenge: Strength

As I sit amidst the swirling chaos that is summer "vacation" here in New York State, (notice how I put that word in quotations? "Vacation"--pish!) I have been challenged by my blogging group to write this week about the topic of "strength".

Strength.

Yes, oh, yes. I understand strength in this house. "Strength" as in the way my third grader, crippled with anxiety, still wakes every day and faces life. "Strength", the quality I see in my older son, basically non-verbal his whole life yet one of the happiest people I know.

Strength.

Yeah, yeah. I know it.



But, I don't wanna write about it. It's so boooorrrring! I don't CARE about it, not in the traditional sense, anyway. I'm sick of it. It's a tired topic here.

So, as I often do when I have writer's block, I searched some famous quotations on the topic, and this week I came up with things such as:


“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
― Albert Camus


Well said, kind sir. I do hear what you were saying. I'm just over it.

“Be strong. Live honorably and with dignity. When you don't think you can, hold on.”
― James Frey, A Million Little Pieces


Sigh. Equally as solid, but the "holding on" notions are overdone in this neck of the woods.

“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche


With all due respect, this one GETS ON MY NERVES!!! Someone made me the test dummy for this theory without my consent. I want out.

But then, I saw THIS quote:


“Strength is the capacity to break a Hershey bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of the pieces.”
― Judith Viorst, Love & Guilt & The Meaning Of Life, Etc


Hmm. Right about now, I'd like to wring someone's neck with my bare hands! "Strength" is walking away. Yes. This afternoon, this quotation spoke to me.

Understanding the obvious in my household, here is how I am viewing "strength" right here, right now, in the middle of school "vacation", with the little Cave People running around me at a frantic pace:

My Top Ten Examples of "Strength"

10. Being able to listen to a dissertation on the specific parasite that grows on the eyeballs of the Greenland Shark without running away screaming five hours into it.

9. Accepting when the day starts at 1am

8. Repeating the script to a specific Teletubbies segment, verbatim and ad nauseum because it produces a smile.

7. Cleaning a child's runny poop from the floor of a park restroom and NOT saying, "Ew." Not even once.

6. Escalators up. Escalators down. Escalators up. Escalators down. Embrace it.

5. Not ducking when you hear a back seat snot rocket take flight.


4. Messy husband? What messy husband?

3. Looking "specialists" in the eye and just...saying..."NO!"

2. Barfing dog. Fish swimming in sludge. Tank of tadpoles. Special diets. Hyperactivity. Toilet regression. School avoidance. Life avoidance. Gastric pain. Life's a pain. Remembering to laugh. It will all blow over.




1. Bags, sags, dark circles, tears, fears, joys and mistakes. Knowing that on my worst day, I am still a beautiful person.

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This entry was written in response to a Group Blogging Experience 2 (GBE2) word prompt.

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26 comments:

  1. i say.......EVERYONE MAIL HER A HERSHEY BAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lolol
    adore you Amy!! mUAH

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha. I wasn't feeling philosophical about this topic. It's been worn inside out and upside down in this house. Had to give the topic a twist of crazy.

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. Thank you. I see it more that I am the student. My kids are my teachers.

      Delete
  3. Strength is in fact, Will and Trey and every other special needs human getting through and smiling one more day. Strength is also being the parent of same and smiling and loving through one more day. Maintaining a sense of humor and always having it inside for one more fight. One more right for the ones who cannot speak for themselves. Strength, my friend, is second nature to your family and so ordinary you forget that not everyone has it.
    I looked it up and sure enough the dictionary says, "Strength; see Amy Schindler."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo, it is a daily practice for me. Sometimes, I go minute-by-minute. "I just can't do this" is a voice I hear ALL THE TIME in my head.

      As Cari said in her comment below, and as I know you understand. There simply is no choice in the matter. Strength is finding peace in that fact. I work on that.

      Delete
  4. You could even rename the blog, "from the Strength Cave", it's fitting. I love your list better than any of those quotes. Quotes about strength make it seem like an option. Not an option.

    Today I actually texted these words to a friend, "I am going to throat punch someone"....they replied, "DOOO ITTTT!".

    That made me laugh, and your post made me laugh, and that keeps me strong;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No. There simply is no other option. That reality hits hard in the eye of the storm. However, you also know that it's the laughter generated among those of us that understand and have weathered those storms---that laughter is the best medicine ever. It has kept me going many times.

      I certainly don't pretend to stand alone. Thanks for keeping me going as well, Cari!

      Delete
  5. I agree with Jo, in fact I just looked up strength in the dictionary and it referenced Amy.. you captured the essence perfectly for many of us.

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    Replies
    1. What version are you using? LOLOL!!!

      I thank you.

      Delete
  6. I'm with the Hershey idea *wink* You'll be even more beautiful covered in sticky sweet goodness! Love you, love your boys and your not messy husband, dogs, fish, tadpoles and assorted pains. You made my life a brighter place *hugs*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, it has to be gluten, soy and dairy free chocolate. My kids are intolerant. LOL!!

      Laughter keeps us going! And your creativity takes me to another place when this world gets to be a bit too crazy. Thanks for that!

      Delete
  7. I agree with a comment above, you deserve all the Hershey bars in the world

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    Replies
    1. I'd trade them in for a night of sleep. :)

      Thanks! And thanks for reading!

      Delete
  8. This entry was really entertaining: I really liked it :)

    http://kateescapenj.blogspot.com/2012/06/gbe-2-week-58-strength.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :) Thanks. The kids had me a little crazy at the time. lol.

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  9. I am a quot lover as well, but your list - that tops them all. How. Do. You. Do. It? And with such humor and greace, I'll never know. Go for that chocolate and the sleep your're looking to trade for it. You deserve BOTH!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How? Oh, one day at a time and with the laughter of friends. Wine is good, but too much goes to the hips once you turn 40. Lol! Some times are better than others, but I've never seen our decisions harm our children...quite the opposite. Knowing that keeps me grounded. I hope that parents learn to trust their instincts a little more despite what outside influences are telling them.

      Delete
  10. I am too fibro-fried at present to be actually allowed to comment, but I want to say "Good job. You made me giggle."

    ReplyDelete
  11. Well I like what the Joker said.. "What does not kill you, makes you stranger". I guess strength and willpower go hand in hand. maybe even love and fear. Love and fear give us the strength to do things we would not do otherwise.

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  12. You really are beautiful, and your strength? It's the most impressive variety.

    ReplyDelete
  13. When it comes to strength and your list, you are top notch. What doesn't kill us... yeah, yeah, you could beat up Pop Eye! I love the photo of the sleeping/dead? dog. He must be alive. :)

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

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  14. You are a pretty impressive soul who handles more in one day than most people can even comprehend and I am in awe of you once again.

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.com

    ReplyDelete
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