Go Back To Oklahoma

A few weeks ago, a lady in a trendy Subaru honked her horn and belted "go back to Oklahoma" as I turned into a 7-11. Apparently, my pausing for an oncoming car had irritated her. In hindsight, I suppose I should have taken a card from her "me first" play book and rammed my way into the parking lot, but pause I did, and, hence, the ill-timed screeching. I say ill-timed because her very loud and somewhat unhelpful recommendation had interrupted an intense discussion Erin and I were having on whether or not we'd ever have another conversation with our mother. Being told to go back to Oklahoma seemed not only childish, but a tad insensitive given our circumstances. If ever there was a time to chase a lady down, that would have been it. Instead, we laughed at her expense and mocked her drive-by cruelty, mumbling to ourselves, "lady, if you only knew."

Crabby ladies aside, it's hard not to feel a little resentful of those who can simply plow on with life with little regard for others. As our experience has shown, those types of people are in the minority, but when you run across them, it's hard to resist the urge to do a Mary and "kick 'em in the shins." Seeing people carry-on with normal activities also carries with it a tinge of envy; we can't be faulted for feeling lonely in the midst of all this. We've been wondering out loud how we'll move on with life, and what that life will look like when all this is over. In the end, it's a rhetorical question, and, as they say, if anyone can get through this, it's the Lawler clan. ;) (Cue nervous laughter....just kidding.) Ohhh, we know things will be alright. What's the alternative, really? Those who know us know intuitively that we'll get through this, and, most likely, with laughter. But being positive all the time really isn't that interesting, is it? So, to spice things up, why not throw in a little bitterness, and a dash of resentful -- all in good fun. Take last night, for instance. We were strolling down 16 Street Mall with Emily when she noted something we've also been feeling: seeing happy people makes us sad. It's fun to write, and a little revealing, but also somewhat true. I'd like nothing more than to play a spontaneous game of red rover with wandering couples or to say "I'm so happy for you" in a little louder voice than normal or to pass Green Peace without so much as the conventional white lie "I'm already registered." Of course, I'm kidding...(again, nervous laughter). Who am I kidding. It would've been fun to smack the latte out of cranky lady's hands. It makes me laugh because it's so out of character. I say, life hasn't been in character, so why stop now?

"Go back to Oklahoma." Very Grapes of Wrath of her. Where's Rosasharn to save the day? "Lady, we'll beat it outta Denver when we're good and ready! In the meantime, enjoy the jalopy with the mattress on top!" -- J