I am almost four hundred dollars short on rent.
I am physically exhausted.
I am having a wee bit of emotional turmoil.
Yesterday I heard one of the women I came to know through the Treatment Center very recently, died of an overdose. I have a lot of thoughts and feelings about this one but in my small town it is impossible to share without the possibility of causing more pain to those living. It is very hard for me to wrap my mind around the reality this young woman was here just yesterday, and is gone today – although God Knows I have no cerebral reason to experience surprise.
That’s not all. I had a really difficult conversation that I had hoped wouldn’t have to happen. I had to stand up for myself to someone who I know to be retaliatory. My husband pointed out to me I shouldn’t be afraid because I learned to stand up to HIM back in the day and that I had a lot more to fear, then.
Well. He’s probably right. But fear keeps me company sometimes.
Life has been a creaky, uphill climb; a brief bit of comfort here and there. Then suddenly: stunning experiences of love. Today I looked out a door and saw an addict I know, sucking on one of those fake cigarettes, and I felt this surge of love. He probably doesn’t know I feel anything for him and he probably doesn’t give a shit about me. I felt this weird comfort about this. A gladness to be alive.
Tonight in another setting I waited my turn to speak and I felt an irritation and anger that rattled my chest and soured my guts. I prayed for Love and Tolerance. A few minutes later and I had it, and I could speak with love and laughter.
Today my husband put his arms around me and I felt his human presence with gratitude. In June we will celebrate sixteen years together.
In one month exactly I will celebrate three years’ sober. I am not an inarticulate woman, but the gratitude I feel is nearly impossible to express. I am aghast.
Tonight I try to give myself the gift of compassion. Sometimes it seems the only true treasure one can grasp.
Mother to Son By Langston Hughes
Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I’se been a-climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light.
So boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps
’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now—
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
This poem struck me hard when I first heard it 30 years ago (read aloud by a fabulous middle school English teacher), and it has stuck ever since. Tonight it hollered out when I read your line, “Life has been a creaky, uphill climb; a brief bit of comfort here and there.” Life for you ain’t been no crystal stair.
Thanks for that poem. I heard it long, long ago. Good stuff.
I just realized my last comment was dick-ish. It sounds like I said, “Oh I heard that poem long ago.” What I mean is, I heard it long ago but likely would not have remembered it if you hadn’t posted – so, I appreciate your post.