Santa Says It All

This winter has been a wild ride for me. All through the busy days things happen that surprise me, or make me laugh, or even want to cry – and I say to myself: that would be a great Suburban Island post. Then I find myself not writing it down and sharing it here – and I heartily regret it. I would like to say that it is from laziness because I think it would be easier to remedy that than a season of chronic overwork, two teenagers with driver’s licenses, and a household that, though not run very well, still must be run.

Someone needs to write about the ridiculous aspects of daily living that must be dealt with by each of us. Never one to miss the value of the ridiculous myself, I have been happy to share my personal experiences here to remind everyone – including myself - that all this stuff may not be funny when it is happening but it probably will be later on. I recognize that I have an obligation to begin doing so more regularly again – as I feel like I am squandering these perfect moments of ordinary desperation and delight that have been provided to me like so much manna from heaven for retelling on Suburban Island.

Waste not, want not. Or something like that.

The state of modern living requires, at least upon occasion, a sense of humor, a cup of expensive coffee with a fancy name attached to it, a willingness to go without the proper amount of sleep for days or weeks at a time, an attachment to our technologies (cell phones, blackberries, iPods, DVRs, laptops, and the like), and an understanding that no matter how much we know, we don’t know enough - we will never know enough - and that’s okay.

With all this in mind, I walk past the kitchen table still festooned with a red vinyl Santa Claus table cloth that we forgot to put away back in January with a smile because really, it is a metaphor for the impossibility of true order in the modern life. Somewhere, no matter how well one looks to be doing it all – there is some betraying sign of our inability to be perfect lurking in our home, our car, our yard, or our workplace. I do mean to put the tablecloth away before Easter but until then I cherish its presence a little because it reminds me that maybe I actually have this modern living thing down better than I think I do.

Comments

[art]

good to see you again!! looking at the tablecloth, a thought came to mind.. do you still have your christmas lights up on the house?? heheheee!! welcome back!!

[radiogurl]

I agree with you that imperfections aren't always a bad thing. They remind us of our humanity and give us an excuse to reflect with a smile!

[Margaret]

Daily life is certainly ridiculous and frustrating, but also funny later. I have trouble letting go of winter. The seasons are coming and going faster than they used to, or is that just me getting older?

[Paula]

I thought I was the only one who still had christmas stuff out on my kitchen table. That is todays project...to finally put the rest of Christmas away.