I'm fully aware that I am whining and I have only myself to blame for this situation (which my brilliant seven year old grandson calls a "Poop-suation"), but whine I must and whine I will. I wanted a litter of puppies but in the joy of the moment I forgot how old I am and that puppy rearing (as is raising children) is a young man's game.
I also wouldn't have to be reminded every five minutes that some guy named Snoopy Dog was on site along with random celebrities I neither know or care about. I remember Olympics where athletes were celebrated. Back stories were shared, equipment advances were heralded and the amateur athlete that struggled to become the best also had to hold a job to pay for their dreams was celebrated.
And like the end of a ride, there is silence. No birds calling, no breeze rustling branches. No people talking about their day. Just silence as the fog like a night of thick falling snow dampens every sound around and I'm forced, visually, to simply take in what is before my eyes and slowly breath it in and out.
I encourage everyone - including myself - to do the necessary homework and seek the truth, not just someone’s biased Cliffs Notes of that truth before we blast out propaganda that fits our narrative.
It requires more work, but you will feel better about yourself, avoiding that terrible nagging feeling like I have carried with me all these years; thinking that I was a fraud and had cheated myself and my audience.
It might save you (and others) from passing on emotion-driven half truths that may actually turn out to be Much Ado About Nothing.
