Well, That's Just Great

wellthatsjustgreat:

wellthatsjustgreat:

Sunday Ducky Sunday

August 27, 2010

One of my two favorite Ducky posts. I was dealing with some heady issues in my life at the time. Ducky was too. We helped each other. First I helped him.

Ag

wellthatsjustgreat:

Ducky: Hey, Dad?

Me: Yes, Ducky?

Ducky: What happens when you die?

Me: Wow. I don’t know, Ducky. No one knows. I think dogs like you go to a special place where you get to run free all the time, and not have seizures, and eat when you want and as much as you want and, if you wanted, you would be able to check in on me sometimes.

Ducky: Yeah?

Me: Yeah. And I think you’re gonna meet Sniffles and Sam and you’re going to get along really well because you were all my dogs.

Ducky: You think?

Me: Yup. I still think I see Sniffles and Sam out of the corner of my eye sometimes. So I think they’re around when they want to be; when I need them. But for the most part I think they run around and have fun because they know that I have you looking out for me.

Ducky: But what happens if you die? Where do you go?

Me: That I don’t know.

Ducky: But you think you know where I go?

Me: Yeah. I know that’s weird.

Ducky: A little.

Me: But I’m not going to die for a long time.

Ducky: Promise?

Me: Promise.

Ducky: Because you’ve told me things on those bad nights…

Me: Those were just bad nights, Ducky. They’re over now.

Ducky: But what about an accident? You could get hit by a car or get heartworm.

Me: Well, if I died I’m sure your Mom would take you back right away.

Ducky: Promise?

Me: I promise.

Ducky: …

Me: …

Ducky: If you go to a place like the one you talked about, when you weren’t running and playing with other people would you check in on me sometime?

Me: Absolutely. Whenever you needed me and sometimes just because…

Ducky: OK. Thanks, Dad.

Me: You’re welcome, Duck.

Ducky: Don’t die.

Me: You too.

Ducky: Ok

Me: Love you, Ducky.

Ducky: Love you too, Dad.

Ag

Yeah…so about those posts…

Tropical Depression Update. It’s been awhile, so as a reminder, some find value in my ramblings but your individual mileage may vary.

missgingerlee:

Change whiskey to chocolate & here I am.

Change whiskey to mast…never mind.

Ag

Mysteriously and in ways that are totally remote from natural experience, the gray drizzle of horror induced by depression takes on the quality of physical pain.

“

—	William Styron

I thought depression was the part of my character that made me worthwhile. I thought so little of myself, felt that I had such scant offerings to give to the world, that the one thing that justified my existence at all was my agony.

“

—	Elizabeth Wurtzel

For everyone who suffers from depression or anxiety, there is that person in their life who is there at the lowest point to remind them, “Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent your attitude!” The technical term for this person is, “Asshole.

“

—

Ag

Nothing wrong with the attitude per se. I often embrace it to get through challenging times. But the problem with trite, all purpose advice is it ignores the great diversity of human experience. You wouldn’t tell a public speaker who was blind to work on his eye contact. You wouldn’t tell someone traveling in a wheelchair that they need to stand up when asking a question.

So just consider that implying that a depressed person has an attitude problem is not the kindest thing to say.

Ag

The small setback is just the part you know about.

Him: Don't get so down over a small setback. 
Me: Don't have a massive heart attack because of that french fry. 
Him: ...
Me: What? A heart attack is a result of hereditary traits, failure to recognize warning signs early, a lifetime of diet and fitness choices, and countless other variables? But you're eating a french fry NOW! Having such a big reaction to one french fry is ridiculous. Just stop.

I start to think there really is no cure for depression, that happiness is an ongoing battle, and I wonder if it isn’t one I’ll have to fight for as long as I live. I wonder if it’s worth it.

“

—	Elizabeth Wurtzel

I can do comedy, so people want me to do that, but the other side of comedy is depression. Deep, deep depression is the flip side of comedy. Casting agents don’t realize it but in order to be funny you have to have that other side.

“

—	Parker Posey