September 7, 2005
like it or not, I am still struggling with this
I am still weighed down by my reaction to Hurricane Katrina, particularly by a nagging sense of just how damn good I have it. I am extra conscious these days of every cup of coffee I buy, every load of laundry I fold, every cup of over-priced organic milk I pour for the boys. I am trying not to be crushed by the sense that I am well off while others are not, but this week it is hanging heavy and is making it hard to be funny. Or to write at all, for that matter.
But tonight I read this post from Mrs. Kennedy and this one from Heather and I feel somehow better. And tomorrow I will tell you all about Henry’s school and other frivolous things that are happening here in the land of All is Well and Good.
Posted by Susan @ 7:49 pm • Uncategorized
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September 8th, 2005 at 8:50 am, Candace Says:
It’s hard. It’s especially hard for me after spending loads of money on the wedding, on the trip, in New York, and on Foo’s wedding gifts (which included tickets to Cirque du Soleil’s ‘O’).
And then I got an iPod for my birthday.
Talk about guilt. But we’re donating left and right and I’m sending stuff to Amanda and Scott and I’m trying to feel OK.
It’s not just survivor’s guilt, it’s location guilt.
September 8th, 2005 at 12:04 pm, Mary P. Says:
You could spend your whole life feeling that way, though, because we in North America are SO much better off than the vast majority of the world. Each and every day. Better to be grateful, and cultivate an attitude of giving. (My kids, for example, each have a foster child in a third-world country, matched for age and gender, just to show them how much they have, and how easy it is to make a difference.)
September 8th, 2005 at 2:36 pm, Susan Says:
This morning I realized that I need to say this: I don’t feel guilty about my socioeconomic status, but I AM hyper conscious of it these days. I am also conscious of what a wonderful husband I have and of how healthy and happy and essentially unproblematic my children are. And what is overwhelming me just now is this hightened sense of priviledge.
And then trying to find ways to write about my life that are funny and not insensitive to whoever might be reading this–phew.
Time to put my feet in the booze pool, I think.
September 8th, 2005 at 6:07 pm, Heather Says:
I’ll be right over. I did a Celine Dion and had a good cry over the magnitude of this crisis. How one day can change your whole life…
September 9th, 2005 at 7:37 pm, Susie Says:
I’ve been there off and on the past two weeks. I had another breakdown yesterday and I need to Blog It Out. Liam was given lots of clothes for his birthday and I was very AWARE as I neatly folded and put away each item. Just as I am every time I hand him a cookie or change his diaper and use one too many wipes.
Thanks for coming by my blog!