This quiet, semi-gray May day (rhyming unintentional) finds me in thoughtful mode. Not sure where I want to go with this today, so I'm just going to ramble.
May is a highly charged month for me, emotionally. More than any other month in the year, it harbors memories of the most extreme highs and lows.
On the low side, both my brother and my father died in May. In fact, today is the 13th anniversary of my father's passing. I'm not feeling sad, just a bit incredulous. Thirteen years?? Where did the time go?
But on the high side, three years ago in May, Danny and I shot "When Danny Met Erica." That will always be my favorite and most personal video, especially since it seemed for a long time that it would never happen. And then, 15 years ago on Memorial Day, I got my first adult spanking, one of the greatest highs of my life.
No wonder I'm all over the place, huh?
I could go either way, I suppose. I could lose myself in the sadness of the bad memories, or I could choose to reflect on the good ones. Then again, I don't have to be so damned black or white. I could spend a little time in each. And then, most important, I could choose to shake them both off and move forward with my day, with the rest of the month, until it passes.
I like that. That works.
Onward. I'll end with some laughs for whoever feels like watching this. It's the second half of a comedy skit from several years ago -- some of my fellow Baby Boomers may recognize it. It's a spoof of "Gone With the Wind." My father co-wrote it.
Love you, Dad! :-)
"Thank ya, I saw it in a window, and just couldn't resist"...
ReplyDeleteOMG.. that skit was one of the funniest Carol B. had ever done in my book!
And about how you should handle this month.. I wrote this earlier in response to a thread over on Fetlife and it bodes well here also..
"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of my attitude on my life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. Attitude is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, more important than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, gifted-ness or skill. It will make or break you. The remarkable thing I learned.. is that "WE" have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude."
Zelle -- very wise words, my friend. Thank you. :-)
ReplyDeleteErica: remember the good times! Life is too short to dwell on the bad times. I still believe that it seems to me a daily spanking for a week would greatly improve your spirits. None has to be as strong as your usual, but not knowing would be as effective as one strong spanking.
ReplyDeletePS: remembering your first spanking as an adult isa wonderful remembrance.
Start smiling
Red
Red -- yes, it is. That one spanking, that one man, started me on the journey of a lifetime. :-) I will never forget it.
ReplyDeletePs: The video was funny. thanks for sharing, and wonderful to know your father co-wrote it. Fun ending
ReplyDeleteRed
Thanks! I admit, I'm very proud of it. TV Guide once rated the part where she walks down the stair wearing the curtains as one of the "top 50 funniest moments in TV history." :-)
ReplyDeleteFunny video! I've had about enough of rainy May myself. I thought it was April showers bring May flowers. The rain isn't stopping anytime soon out here.
ReplyDelete@Erica,
ReplyDeleteI love Carol Burnett and her show. The skits were my farvorite part. It' great to know that one of the writers of the skits was you Father.
A sense of humor goes a long way and touches everyone in it's path for the good. It is one of a person's greatest gifts. Your Father certainly had that and one other gift - You.
Hence, now your readers enjoy the gift your Father gave to us.
Thanks for making me laugh and keeping me company with your stories.
It's all good.
Hugs,
bree
Lea -- I confess, it's a treat for me, since I love rain. It's going to be 100+ degrees here soon enough.
ReplyDeletebree -- thank you! How lovely. :-)
I think it's healthy and important to recognize and be cognizant of all of your emotions. You seem to have found a healthy balance with that.
ReplyDeleteAnd that video...the curtains! I can see why it would be rated in the top 50 funniest. I can also see why you'd be so proud of your father.
I bet he's proud of you, too.
Hugs,
Pink
Hello Erica WOW it's been 13 years for your dad already :-( that's TERRIBLE, I know how you feel it's been 7 years for my grandfather and 3 for my uncle :-( I try to think about the good times we shared but sometimes it's not that easy. I agree with Zelle WE CANNOT CHANGE THE INEVITABLE :-( But damn i wish we could cause the inevitable is quite scary for me :-( It's WONDERFUL to know that one of the writer's was your father, He is so talented just like you, if he were here today he would be so proud of you cause i know i sure am proud of you :-)Your the GREATEST, I am ALWAYS here for you, Love you and sending you ton's of hugs xoxo from your naughty girl Jade
ReplyDeletePink -- I'd like to think he would be. Thank you, sweetie.
ReplyDeleteJade -- the trouble with worrying about the inevitable is that it keeps us from enjoying the present moment... and then the inevitable happens anyway. (sigh)
My lovely friend, you've had such sharp high and low extremes in your life to make the most terrifying park ride look like the merry-go-round in comparison. Reflection is a natural result. Maybe upchucking, too.
ReplyDeleteBut I admire your stubborn courage, good sense, and a sense of humor that eventually brings everything back into perspective. All said and done, Mr. Erica's Dad left the world a lot better than he found it, certainly by giving us you!
Wolfie -- I am quite speechless. In a good way. ♥ ♥ ♥
ReplyDeleteA classic skit. I enjoyed seeing it again. I am so old I saw it when it appeared. We could use another Carol Burnette. And a lot of writers like your Dad.
ReplyDeleteOh Erica, I'm glad I stopped by here today the video was just what I needed. I'd never seen it before. You must feel so proud every time you watch it knowing that your dad had a part in it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Ronnie
xx
OBB -- yes, I was around for the original airing too! LOL
ReplyDeleteRonnie -- if you go to YouTube and search for Went With the Wind, you can see Part 1 as well. I didn't bother putting both parts on here because that would have been too long.
And yes, I'm very proud. :-)
Very amusing - what a beautiful grand monument for your father!
ReplyDeleteHave a good remainder of May.
Erica, thanks for sharing that clip, I remember that skit and it made me laugh out loud, something I don't usually do when alone. Carol Burnett was my favorite since I was a kid. Your father was a very creative person, isn't it neat that long after he is gone he is still making people laugh and will for generations.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how fast time flies by, it's tough when all the memories are all in one month. Hang in there, it is almost June.
MrJ -- thanks!
ReplyDeleteKaki -- yes, I will try to remember that. There are only 11 days left, but it feels like it's going on forever!
In an age where "Jersey Shore" passes for entertainment, I do hope people will remember my dad's work. :-)
So sweet and nice. Happy gloomy May day to you, dear.
ReplyDelete