{"id":13985,"date":"2019-10-11T16:33:51","date_gmt":"2019-10-11T23:33:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/godammit.com\/?p=13985"},"modified":"2019-10-11T18:22:00","modified_gmt":"2019-10-12T01:22:00","slug":"its-my-party-and-ill-cry-if-i-want-to","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/godammit.com\/its-my-party-and-ill-cry-if-i-want-to\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s My Party And I’ll Cry If I Want To"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Most people know at this point in social etiquette not to bark, “Cheer up!” at people who aren’t showing their back molars in a smile. Thank god that’s pretty much a thing of the past. I remember strangers informing me, even as a kid, “Things aren’t THAT bad!” as they walked past me.<\/p>\n

But many people do find it difficult to be in the presence of sadness, not to mention grief.<\/p>\n

Not long ago, a family member came over to visit, and was moved to share with me their wish that I could be less sad. I have so<\/em> much going for me, after all!<\/p>\n

It was a wish born of compassion. But still. Feeling aggressive, I leaned toward them and said, “Until you have seen your child in a body bag, you cannot understand what it’s like. You just can’t.” I know what a brutal thing this is to say aloud. But at times, I want to make it a teachable moment.<\/p>\n

They were taken aback, but rephrased the sentiment to something like, “Yes, but you have to go on living.”<\/p>\n

Humans of Earth, AREN’T I ALIVE? How alive do I have to be before you can deal with me? I walk and talk, I put on lipstick, I go to the grocery store, I walk down the street, you know?<\/p>\n

Do I have to go on a fucking world cruise or Dancing With the Stars or what?<\/p>\n