Monday, January 31, 2011

To infinity, and beyond


What is it about our childhoods? The holding on, the reaching back. I guess it’s because things were simpler, we were simpler. Nostalgia, on its own, is a powerful thing. But when coupled with other emotions – love, loss, regret, hope – it can comfort us better than any blanket. Over the weekend my mother’s best friend, a woman I’ve known since the fourth grade, died suddenly. Wife, mother, grandmother, friend. She was one of the most gracious, hard-working and thoughtful persons I’ve ever known. Our families were close. We spent almost every Christmas Eve together – including this past year – for decades. Yet there, on the other end of that phone call, I wished I was closer. But the 2,000 miles between us meant I could only offer condolences and platitudes. Once the call was over, I was left alone with just thoughts of her family and my mother and all those shared holidays and meals and laughs. So I sought out my own comforting nostalgia. And what I turned to for a surrogate hug was Pixar. It may seem silly to find solace in movies. But that, after all, is what they’re there for – entertainment, diversion, understanding, truth. This weekend I marathoned all the “Toy Story” movies. Can you believe I’d never seen them before – and I’m a Pixar fangirl. And then, when I had trouble sleeping that night, I pulled up “Finding Nemo” on my iPhone and let it help me drift off to slumber. Yes, I’m a childless adult with “Finding Nemo” and “WALL-E” on her phone. While they’re not a part of my childhood, they bring up the universal emotions from childhood. Regardless of age, they’re a reminder of what mattered then isn’t really so much different than what matters now. Love, laughter, loyalty and how lucky we are to have good friends pass through our lives.

13 comments:

Erica said...

Condolences to you, too, Ms Snarker. It is never easy to lose such a figure or friend, nor to be that far away...

Also, if you feel like you need a good sob, may I suggest Up to fill that role. Never fails to get the tears flowing...

tlsintx said...

hugs all around

NorthWorst said...

I'm sorry for your loss. We're here for you, Ms. Snarker.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear, DS. Thanks for your sharing and candor as always.

Beebee said...

Sweet Snarker, so sorry to hear of such an important caring person in you life passing. So hard and sad!

Pixar and friends help ease the hard moments.

Shasta said...

I'm sorry for your loss. :( Dory's a good choice. She's been getting me through some of the worst stuff. I hope you'll have the chance to get together soon with people who loved your friend.

Norma Desmond said...

Ms. Snarker, I am so sorry. I don't think it's odd to find comfort in movies when they are so often created in the first place to be comforting. Especially Pixar.

I know how much it sucks, too, to find yourself 2000 miles away and unable to be there. My grandma passed last year, and all I could do was just... keep going. I think I came home and marathoned Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies. Anyhow, sorry again, and I hope you find some solace in the likes of Dory, Buzz, and all the rest.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry for your loss, Ms. Snarker. And there truly isn't a better place to find comfort than Pixar marathons...well, except also 'Golden Girls' for me. *HUGS*

Kathryn said...

Well said, Dorothy. Hugs and sympathy.

Anonymous said...

My condolences, Ms. Snarker. Thank you for sharing your experience, your insight, and that beautiful video with us this morning.

Packrat said...

I'm sorry to hear your news, Ms. Snarker. I was thousands of miles away when three of my grandparents died throughout my college years. In some ways it's easy, because you can escape reality a bit by being removed. But yes--it pretty much sucks.

I_am_Anners said...

I'm late to the game in conveying my sadness for your loss.

I recently experienced a similar situation and found myself thousands of miles away with tears running down my face, staring at the blank screen of my phone. I'm sure I was a sight.

The hardest thing in the world can be finding that whathaveyou that can hold you close, rub your head, and tell you that everything will be alright, when the only thing that you want is for the person who is gone to do just that. Glad you found your whathaveyou.

Anonymous said...

I feel very sorry about that,
when I have sleeping trouble,
I generally thinking about a cartoon scene
since I was very kid. cus you know
you have to sleep alone when you grow up.

the ani is candy. the cartoon song is like,
although I'm lonely and sad,
i'm never gonna cry~ patience,
patience, patience again!
why cry~

my name is~ my name is~
my name is~ candy~~

you know japanese animation.

I can't translate it well, somewhat
the scene is very bright color and
candy is running with smile face
here and there.