Monday, August 18, 2008

The Flip Side


As much as I enjoy a good belly laugh, I equally value the benefits of having a good cry. It's funny because I don't cry often so when I do it's almost as if all the tears I should have ever shed in my life are flowing.


Saturday was a lazy day for me. I had earned it after the week I had. So I found myself relaxing on the chaise on my patio reading The Last Lecture. I bought the book before Dr. Pausch died but since I usually have no less than three books on my nightstand at a time, I hadn't had a chance to finish it. Since his passing I was determined to finish it. And I did on Saturday. I didn't shed one tear until I reached the final page ... and then the floodgates opened up in such a way that really startled me. It probably startled my neighbors too ... if they were outside listening from the other side of their fences they might have thought someone was beating me. Seriously, this was no cute, silent, let-the-tears-roll-down-your-face kind of crying. These were gut-wrenching sobs that lasted for a while. But once I was was finished ... I felt really good.

Weird.

The book was fantastic. It was not about dealing with pancreatic cancer. It wasn't about death. It was about life. How to live your life and the benefit of following one's dreams. It was beautiful. Everyone asks me if I've seen the video ... I haven't. I'm sure I would enjoy it, but I'm a reader and prefer to get my information from the written word.


I also watched the Alicia Keys + Ruby Dee episode of Iconoclasts on Sundance and for some reason seeing the two of them together had me in tears. They were sharing poetry and music and there was just something moving about the whole thing. These women are generations apart but something about the way they interacted felt like they were from the same era. Check it out if you can.


5 comments:

princessdominique said...

You were in the same place that I was in this weekend. I have to check out that Alicia/Ruby Dee episode. I love Sundance and independent films period. I'll definitely check it out.

Blu Jewel said...

I need to get my copy of The Last Lecture. I missed Alicia and Ruby? I love Sundance and am usually on point with that channel. Damn!

nikki said...

and THIS is when i miss having cable.

i haven't purchased that book. i've been leery cuz he died of the same thing that killed my granny and the pain is still rather close to the surface, but i really want to read it cuz i heard it's extremely inspiring.

i'm glad you got ya cry on. hell, i cry all the time and always feel good afterwards, even if it's just a tear or two shed.

Believer said...

Crying the way you did on the last page was a spiritual thing. For sure! Deep speaking unto deep is what that was. I bet that you'll be pulling stuff out from that for days and perhaps weeks to come.

Life is a gift and should be celebrated.

I believe when Randy Pausch died he was complete...whole...nothing missing or broken...and his mission accomplished.

Believer said...

Coo! I saw snippets of the Alicia and Ruby videos. Thanks for the link!