Wednesday, April 7, 2010

bursting my bubble

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[Gratuitous knobby-kneed Hannah shot for your symbolic title tie in viewing pleasure]

As I not-so-subtly alluded to a few days ago, this week has been a tough one for me. I am not going to go into specifics here, but I will tell you that life threw me a curve ball which my sensitive, vulnerable, weak side was not remotely prepared to deal with. I had been in a pretty comfortable groove for quite a while, and getting knocked out of it onto my rear end was not exactly pleasant.

How did I cope?

Well, first I had a good cry on the Husband's shoulder.

Then I devoured a large portion of the remaining chocolate in the kids' Easter baskets.

Then?

Well, then I took some Tums to counteract all that heartburn from the chocolate binge eating.

But after that, I decided my best option was to pick myself up by the bootstraps and keep going. I took a huge blow to my confidence, swallowed that very bitter pill of humility, and pressed forward. As the Husband gently reminded me, it's experiences like this that are precisely what build our character and provide us with growth.

Growth sure stinks though, doesn't it?

But only for a little while. Then we look around and find that we are standing a little taller than we were before. That wounded vulnerability has hardened, and if we look carefully, we can see that it is now thick, like a callous. Ready to shield us the next time something tries to penetrate our armor.

It's quite literally a thicker skin.

And I think it's going to serve me well.

Game on, life. Game on.

25 comments:

Terra said...

I have been repeating to myself OFTEN

I can let life get the best of me or I can get the best of life...

I also have been pulling up my big girl panties a LOT to the point I even said they were 10 sizes too big and wouldn't stay up - but you are right - oh so right.

GAME ON. Thanks for the gentle reminder that I am not alone

melissa ( : said...

You go Girl!!

( :

calibosmom said...

Lemme hear a WHOOP WHOOP!!! Thata girl! Thick Skin body butter. I'm surprised no one has made that yet.

Annemarie said...

Good girl. Go forth and conquer...and eat a little more chocolate in the process.

Tristan said...

Eat more chocolate ;-) I'm glad you are doing better. I'm sorry you had a hard blow! Love you!

the wrath of khandrea said...

HELL-TO-THE-YIZZ-EAH!

Mrs T said...

Hope you're ok. x

brooke said...

Good Grief--I'm sorry. I hate it when life throws stuff at us that we don't have the time or the desire or strength to deal with. But you are right--that which doesn't kill us only makes us stronger. You are awesome and I'm sorry you had a bad week! I'm glad you turned to chocolate--it never fails!

Lauren in GA said...

I am glad that you got to cry on the Husband's shoulder. That is always theraputic for me. I have been thinking of you...I don't like it when life knocks me on my butt.

Those knees of Hannah's are true things of beauty.

Meeks said...

I love what someone said recently about what they say to their child when the child wants to give in because it is too hard. She says to her child, "Yes it's hard, but you can do hard things."
Hang on in there, you can get through this. And from reading your comments, it's so great that you have so much support and good vibes coming your way.

Fran Hill said...

You did all the right things, the chocolate especially.

Anonymous said...

I'm happy for you to have got that curve ball. You're stronger now. I'm glad the cry is over, the eating is over and that the strength building continues.

I love that picture of Hannah. You're such a good photographer!

p.s. Remember to smile at yourself. Do it now. God bless :)

Emily said...

Hey Stie--took a little over-nighter with with kiddies and got back to my internet to find you recovering from a kick-in-the-pants week. So sorry, but it's like you to come out stronger on the other end. The Stie I know hasn't met something she can't conquer yet. Chin up and way to go :)

Kayla said...

man, life can suck sometimes hu!? but look at you and your good attitude about it! I know lots of people when life throws crap at them that all they wanna do is sulk and have big pity parties for themselves - (I know I've done it before!). so I applaud you and your awesome attitude! I hope everything is okay!!

♥Shally said...

I am growing too, Stie.

And yes, it stinks.

Too bad we can't go splurge on a huge dessert together. :)

Christina B. said...

You are so strong, I really admire you. I'm sorry about your tough week. I'm inspired by your reaction to it (my armor seems to be slow growing sometimes...). You are amazing!

Lisa-Marie said...

what andrea said. she always knows just what to say, doesn't she.

shilo said...

Well, I'm sorry to hear that your world was rocked so hard. You are dealing with life better than I did this week. I sucked it up for a few days, but then I threw in the towel and called in sick yesterday. I needed it badly. Best of luck, friend.

Melissa Angert {All Things Chic} said...

go get 'em girl.

xo

Jessica said...

Ooh. Now THERE'S the Christie we all admire and adore!

Linsey said...

Atta girl. You just kick right back and keep on kicking!

danandcindy said...

congratulations. when is your baby due?

Anonymous said...

you are awesome.

ashli said...

how do you get all these crazy comments about obama?

it must just mean you are awesome! Hang in there! It has to get better, right?

Jeanelle said...

I'm behind in my reading and I'm so sorry I just now saw this, five days after you posted. Hugging you from here -- can you feel it? I hope so! I hate it when life sucks and you my friend, deserve nothing but the best. So glad you have your sweet family around you to lift you during the rough times. Never forget how much you are loved.