And sometimes, they eat lots and lots and lots of chocolate cake. They’re just smart enough to not photograph any of the evidence.
Life got tough in December. And when life gets tough, the tough, well, they  drink tea.  And they cry a lot. Because tough people stay tough by recognizing that sometimes you have to let the tears eek out.
You know what else? Tough people surround themselves with really amazing people. Who can hold them in thoughts and prayers and say, “There, there, it’s hard being tough, now. . . isn’t it?” Â And sometimes those people send packages of sympathy and tea. And sometimes they send you bright little emails of them hugging Palm trees in Hawaii or post snarky love notes on facebook. And these people, they may not know that life got really tough in December. Or that life hasn’t stopped being tough for 5 months. Â But they are there just the same, because they are your tribe. And you can’t be tough without a tribe.
And if a tough person is lucky, she will not have to be tough alone. She will have an amazing family who loves her. She will return that love with abandon, despite fearing the loss of everything. And she will hold her child’s fears in her heart, and tell him, “There, there, it’s ok. We’re ok, because we have each other.” Because deep in her heart, where the fear piles up and forces tears out, deep down she knows this is true. Life is amazing! And she is blessed.
In the dead of night when it all becomes too much, she will pray. For life to be easier. For answers to questions and help so badly needed. And for all the people she doesn’t know, but who she is certain are out there being just as tough as she is. Because a tough person prays.
And she will let her husband feed her chocolate cake, because she thinks and he knows that cake makes it better. Chocolate cake, bought one piece at a time in some silent agreement that she’s on a diet after all; Â mountains of plastic containers piling up in the recycling bag. One bite at a time towards OK. with tea. With lots and lots and lots of tea.
Because. When life gets tough, the tough—she drinks tea.
Ah, Wende, what’s happening? I know you’ve been somewhat absent from blogging, but figured it was your crafty, busy side keeping you away from the computer. I hope that life is getting better; you have a great support system. Love you.
Darlin’ – the tough need to know when to call friends, especially ones separated by distance and who have no connections with others in the tough one’s life, to vent and cry. Just sayin.
Will be keeping you in my thoughts.
My sweet girl. Chocolate cake DOES make everything lovely. As does tea. Your husband is a very smart man. And that boy of yours… beautiful and sensitive and such a strong young man. I wonder if there is anything that a friend in Wisconsin can do for you? I am holding you in my heart.
You are amazing and I’m glad to be in the thick of it with you, though I wish we weren’t in the thick of it at all. Here’s to a better 2011 and lots of chocolate cake in-between…
It’s good that the tough surround themselves with the tough…because then you can try to get through it together, and hold the space and send the love. I’m sending the love to you all…hang tough baby!
I hope it’s raspberry tea. Because chocolate cake goes with anything, good times or bad. But raspberry tea makes life worth living. Well, that and friends. And family. But mostly raspberry tea. 🙂
Tough tea for the tough on its way…I would drink potfuls with you sitting on your porch (and eat slabs of chocolate cake, too) if I were your neighbor. Instead, look at the moon tonight and I will too and catch the wink I send you on a moonbeam, because tough times never last, but tough people do.
xo
Big deep breaths of ocean air followed by some Tillimook ice cream that they are following here.
http://astoriaoregondailyphoto.blogspot.com/2010/04/wheelhouse-coffee-company-nice-place-to.html
dear one we do not know of each other in the person but you have sustained me more than you know in my current desert of a location. Peace unto you.