Last night I had a dream of a beautiful dusk landscape, I dreamt I was as light as the ether, a floating spirit visiting things to come.
The shades and shadows of my life wrestled their way into my slumber…
I dreamt that Dick and George decided to turn themselves in. Maybe they weren’t ready to stay in our new world…
…And I dreamed on into the future to a Christmas morn where the grandchildren of Don Siegelman celebrated their first Christmas in some time with their grandpa, opening presents in their pajamas…
…I saw executives from Nestle wandering the Sahara in crash helmets and dark glasses, determined to deliver a laptop to every child in Africa.
Maybe they had one board meeting too many…I don’t know…
…And still I dreamed on, watching our world’s young mothers progress from afar as if they were our own, their movement to breastfeeding and baby-wearing to every child finally proving successful…
…And still I dreamed further into the future and I saw all the children with autism and they weren’t messed up at all, our neighbors next door in our galaxy had just been preparing them for the long space voyage to come, a peaceful journey to foster understanding between our races…
…But I still hadn’t dreamed anything about me and you…until the end…
…And this was cloudier, ’cause it was years, years away…
…But I saw an old couple being visited by their children and grandchildren too. And the couple wasn’t screwed up, and neither were their kids or their grandkids.
And I don’t know, you tell me. Was this whole dream, was it wishful thinking? Was I just fleeing reality like I’m able to do?…
…But me and you, we can be good too. And it seemed real. It seemed like us. And it seemed like, well…home…
…If not Washington then a land not too far away, where all the parents are strong and wise and capable, and all the children happy and beloved…
…I don’t know, maybe it was Utah.
(Happy Mother’s Day to every mother out there!)
Ah, Funk! What a wonderful dream, and one we share with you. I’ve referred to you many times as “that mother….”, so Happy Mothers Day to you, too, Funk-man, and to Mrs. Funk and Little Funk.
Life is a slog, but there can be moments that truly take your breath away. It is not for the cowardly (go hide in that “undisclosed bunker location”, Dick) but only for the brave.
And believe me when I tell you: the things I have seen “my” kids overcome mean it is possible for each and every one of us. And all families are dysfunctional (or is that dysFUNKtional?); it just varies by degree.
“Beauty is truth, truth beauty. That is all ye know on earth and all ye need to know.” – Keats (and AB)
Now did somebody say “BACON”??????
“Disfunktional”. I like that that. Please tell that’s a Parliament album. 🙂
Family is anguish. Family is glory. I’ve known both. Holding everyone together is an act of heroism and easy as pie. Raising children is incredibly hard even if they’re bright and haven’t a problem in the world. Loving them is awful – it hurts – but the most glorious thing ever, and yes, there ARE happy, healthy families that last through many generations. And there are wonderful people who, as the product of damaged families, still find the strength to end the abuse and find hope.
And mothers are the source of at least half of this struggle to survive and, more difficult, flourish. To every mother out there raising kids or grandkids – Happy Mother’s Day. That goes to the step moms, too – those “not cruel stepmothers of the world” who love the kids by proxy passionately and forever.
Happy Mother’s Day to everyone who brought smiles to kids’ faces just for being there. You’ve done a GREAT job!
Choice, great words and thoughts to remember.
If it was cloudy and hard to see and understand, it was Utah! Trust me, Washington state has a clearer sky, your sight is broader, and people try to understand or let you be. I know because I am your neighbor in Oregon and crossing the bridge is never a battle. Utah and Idaho, not so much. 😉
You dream on, my friend. Reality is never a dream too far away. It is all in the direction you reach for. We will get there. Be seeing you in my dreams. 🙂
Happy Mother’s Day!
Sally, you are always welcome here in Washington. Especially after we build the giant fence to keep all of the climate change refugees out.
Thank you for your lovely thoughts.
Hi funk, I found two blue boxes with question marks near the end of your post, and not knowing what was in them, decided to delete them. If you want to restore and try again, let me know. Funny, poignant and touching post.
Peace, Love and Understanding.
Thanks Kalima. I’m surprised everything doesn’t come through as a “?”. And thank you for the compliment!
Always a pleasure funk. You did good with the “?”. 😀
Pleasant dreams from now on.