Monday, July 1. The first day of a new work week. The first day of a new month. The beginning of the first full month of summer. The first day of the second half of the calendar year.
I don’t know why, but all these “firsts” seemed somehow auspicious to me. And, inexplicably, I woke up today sort of expecting — well, okay, hoping is more accurate — that Things Would Be Better, if only in some small way. Not ALL the things, certainly, but at least some of them.
And then I connected to the internet. And it no longer felt like the first bright shining new day of anything. Just more of the same.
Sigh.
Honestly, the day’s sampling of events should not have come as a surprise, or even caused disappointment. Because I know better. Really. I’m probably the last person anyone would accuse of being Miss Susie Sunshine or any kind of Pollyanna. Where was my world-weary cynicism when I needed it? Where was my well-honed, hard-eyed realism? Today, those qualities all seemed to take a huge step back, allowing my normally well-protected idealistic softer side to take one hell of a beating.
I’m not going to enumerate and expound upon all the Truly Awful Things going on in the world. First, sadly, because there are too damn many to list. And second, because someone reading this might have missed hearing about one or two of those things and I’m content to leave that person in a less-dark place. Also, I’ve already had more than I can take. And not just today.
I could use some good news for a change. Your mission, should you choose to accept it (please, please, choose to accept it), is to bring something positive or optimistic over here and leave it in the comments. I can’t be the only one who needs an oasis in this desert of soul-smothering darkness.
It can be news from the big wide world out there or something that affects only you. Something political or economic or environmental or— oh, who am I kidding (though if you can find something good on those topics, you get a gold star). It can be kittens. Puppies. Rainbows and unicorns. A joke or a pun or a fond memory. Something deeply moving or something that will make us laugh. Just… something good.
And I don’t mean those passive/aggressive Eeyore-playing-a-sad-trombone type of comments that are prefaced by five bad things and then leave us with one pitifully withered good thing that is only marginally good by comparison. Like, “My gerbil had babies and four of them suffered horribly and died, but at least one is still holding onto life. For now.”
No. No. No.
I will delete any inflicted moroseness with neither apology nor regret. I want to hear unqualified and untainted good things. Pure joy and unabashed happiness. Links to stories elsewhere are welcome. C’mon, I know you can do it.
I’ll go first: It’s blueberry season! I love blueberries. Also, the grapes I bought a week ago are still looking all fresh and edible.
What? I’m hungry.
Okay, here’s a non-food thing: The summer here is off to a cooler than usual start, with only four days in the month of June reaching temps higher than 90 degrees (and all of them were under 95).
Your turn. I’m bracing myself. Bring on the good.
KD James 