How to keep going

So, I open up the Sunday paper and there is a 3 page spread on a recent local tragedy involving a murderous spree of a mentally ill Albuquerque man who was unable to afford his medication (killing 3 civilians and 2 police officers), a 3 page spread on Hurricane Katrina aftermath, and a special section on September 11, 2001 events. DEPRESSING! And, as usual, with my “heart on my sleeve” there are physical ramifications: that feeling like your heart is in your throat, the all to familiar pulled together eyebrows deepening the crevasse (which others recognize as only a wrinkle) between my brows, and that sickening pit in my stomach which leads to a pouting frown and that sort of heaving kind of crying. No, pull it together! Not one more picture of stranded children or swimming animals is going to… damn here is comes again! Ahhh, now we get to the anger part. When tragedy strikes it is like an emotional rollercoaster: helplessness, anger, empathy for victims (of the 2 and 4 legged variety), then back to helplessness.

What can I do to find some comfort? Yes, donate money – the check is in the mail. But with the millions of sad stories that surround me (and all of us) on a daily basis, what is it that allows us to continue? How do I keep going?

Considering my personal dramas and the drama of the world that surrounds me, the only consistent aspect of life is family. I can’t imagine life without you guys!