Entry for 12/12/2006 at 11:35:10 AM by JonnyQuest

JONNYQUEST'S BLOG

JonnyQuest

Entry for 12/12/2006 at 11:35:10 AM
Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Con't. from http://www.fireflyfans.net/showblog.asp?b=5714

Most of Christmas Yet to Come. or Bear Lake Bible Camp – Life lesson learned, but it’s not what you might think…

I always loved the idea that the Reaper was the Ghost of the Future in a Christmas Carol; I consider that one of my other personae. Anyway, I digress.
Back to the Past. The summer of my 9th, 10th or 11th year, I went off to Bear Lake Bible Camp for a week. Every kid should go to camp at least once to experience it, and now was my time. Overall I carry fond memories of the place, although I never went back. The one night we were to spend the night in an old “abandoned” cabin. Of course as the evening progressed the stories of the history of the place came out and it was all scary with no lights and in the woods and, what was that? an escaped murderer-rapist (with friends) got loose and sometimes would terrorize and murder/rape whoever dared to sleep in the cabin. Now, rape was generally not considered a topic of conversation for the Bible believers that ran the camp, nor as I found out good table conversation with Bible believing dinner hosts on the way home from camp. But you know how carried away camp counselors can get. Anyway we kids were absolutely scared out of our wits when the murderer/rapist came and banged on the windows and doors, incessantly, shouting “Let me in! Let me in! I’m going to kill you!” or something equally as scary. It just went on and on and wouldn’t stop. There would be pauses where we thought it might be over and then right back at it he would come. With his sadistic friends. Pushed to the breaking point, I pulled up my covers or sleeping bag (can’t remember) and silently took an oath. If I out-lasted this it would take a few hours. I was old enough to know that time passed at different rates depending on what you were doing. And I realized that the time didn’t really pass at different rates at all. If I could make it through the most fun thing I ever did for “X” hours, I could do it now. I just needed to make it through and then tomorrow morning would be a new day and the murderer/rapist would be gone then because true evil only happens at night. If I was wrong, I’d be dead and it would be over just the same.

Morning did come. And I did wake up. And the whole thing seemed silly. But it had changed me.

I have hone this tool and applied it to all kinds of areas in my life. And this seems to be a good place to remind us all. It’s a day. A 24 hour day just like any other. If it all seems to big for comfort, it will be over. Soon. Sooner than you can imagine if you just remember not to hang on to it. If you cling to it, you’ll weigh it down. Acknowledge that it’s there, staring at you with the eyes of a hunger-crazed wolf. Look straight back at it and tell it that you can out last it. You will always prevail. I direct your attention to “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak, which must have been at play, even subconsciously, in my war with the murderer/rapist. The lonely Christmas is not a life sentence. It’s barely a few hours of community service, which judging by the drinking habits observed among Browncoats you probably deserve anyway.

Up on the Stove Top.

Back to the Present. I have mentioned elsewhere that we have not decorated the house this year. I simply brought home a store display I rescued from the garbage (it should be noted before it went to the garbage). It now proudly sit in the dining room on the floor, the only space large enough to accommodate its size without impinging on any walkways in the house.

It is perfect because it at once brings to mind the wonderful memories of great feasts with the family and the blatant over-commercialization of the holiday. And since I not only didn’t (and won’t) consume the product for the holidays (I admit to liking it however), I boosted the display inviting others to do so for no cost from the throwaway consumerism it inspires. Stick it to the Man!

Empty nest not Empty- ness .

Back to the Future. An empty house is always sad even if it’s not yours. It happens. Don’t dwell on it. Dwell in it. Don’t drink from the cup labeled Self-Pity. It is bottomless. Drink from Scarlet O’Hara’s cup; it’s labeled “Tomorrow is another day” It’s full of Determination. It’s what makes Mal carry on in a life he doesn’t understand anymore. It makes him care about “his” because and only because it’s what he does; he doesn’t know “why” anymore. But he doesn’t it just the same. Count how many days you’ve lived. This is just one more. It will end just like all the others have. Just like my night at camp. Veg out and watch every Christmas movie ever made. They all have happy endings. Even Bad Santa. It’s all good. Tidings of Serenity, Comfort and Joy, my children.

Hold.

COMMENTS

Wednesday, December 13, 2006 6:54 AM

TRISTAN

I love that decoration! And so apt and fitting, too.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006 6:46 PM

BLUEEYEDBRIGADIER

Damn...my camp counsellors were pussies compared to yours! I don't know whether to envy or pity ya;)

And brilliant idea! Free decorations and commercialization perversion!

;D

BEB

Tuesday, December 12, 2006 4:28 PM

LITTLEALBATROSS29

JQ , Well put as usual.I adore you ! Have a blessed holiday ,without the stove top stuffing of course.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006 11:43 AM

MSG

HUGS and that's a lovely holiday thought ( though I think your counselors should have been staked to an ant hill smeared with jelly for doing that to you. I can't believe they went so far as to bang on windows repeatedly to scare you..nasty little sadists)

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