Coming To Terms

[phrigndumass]

Only fools and charlatans understand everything. For reasons unknown to physics (and math), time runs only in one direction. The mind and the heart, curiously, transcend time.

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A short story by Eileen K. Gunn, (c) 2004.

Source: eileengunn.com

<snip>

The life leaked out of the old man. He lay in bed for more than a month, in hospital and nursing home, in worlds of pain. He fought first for control of his death, then for control of his life once more. Toward the end he gave up his desire for control, as much as he was able. He still issued every visitor a list of tasks, but he knew he had no control over whether those tasks got done.

So, painstakingly, he combed the thatch of the past. He returned to the old mysteries and puzzles, and reflected at length on the lives and motivations of people long dead. He constructed theories to explain the petty cruelties of childhood bullies. He made plans to purchase a small house, to reclaim his land in Guatemala, to publish essays, fiction, fragments of prose. He ate bananas and rye bread and institutional meals, and put his teeth in when visitors stopped by. He resolved not to worry about things he couldn't fix, and struggled to keep that resolution.

<snip>

MORE

Read more: http://www.eileengunn.com/StableStrategies/coming_to_terms.html

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Denial.

Anger.

Bargaining.

Depression.

Acceptance.


Peace,
phrigndumass

:grouphug:

[phrigndumass]

1. Amends.

If I have offended anyone with my posts or replies in GDP, I sincerely apologize. The heat of battle can leave our passions unchecked. Passion serves a purpose, but it does no good if others are demeaned by it.

Peace,
phrigndumass

:grouphug:

[helderheid]

4. ditto

[phrigndumass]

8. " " :)

:pals:

[Arrowhead2k1]

2. I think she's at the bargaining stage now

with that whole begging Obama for a deal with the MI and FL thing. Get ready for Depression... :rofl:

[msallied]

3. I don't think, however, we will ever see Acceptance.

[phrigndumass]

5. Compassion.

Compassion. Noun. The humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it.

I don't need to judge others. I don't need to be right. I don't need to be polarizing. I can describe my opinion without anger or bitterness. I. Am. Open.

[grantcart]

6. Yeah well I am completely fuckbrained now

I was getting to like the guy

Shit I am late for my meeting at the basement of the Methodist Church

[phrigndumass]

7. Enemies become friends when the bitterness ends.

Especially when their preferred candidates have many things in common.

Who could stop a United Democratic Party?

[Kaleko]

9. Wow. I was thinking about the grieving process

that follows a painful loss today, and how we keep going back and forth between denial and the bargaining stage around here.

Sorry I found this thread too late to recommend. A very high caliber vibe flows from your posts, phrig, and it's not going unnoticed by everyone. It helps.