In this week of dissecting my identity into pie charts and various other semantic slices, I went back and re-read some of my blog posts. About a year ago I wrote a post called the Invisible Woman. In it, I wrote about who I am, how I describe myself. It's somewhat surprising to me to see all that has changed, and all that has stayed the same.
This week I got my dresser. It is the perfect dresser. It is the perfect size. The perfect stain. It is something that took about 18 years to figure out. It was delivered yesterday. Though I went to Stitch n' Bitch tonight, what I fantasized about was to go home and smile at my new dresser. You may ask, "What does this dresser represent?"
I'd like to tell you.
To me, it represents being able to get what I want. Not just in the Veruca Salt-way, but rather in the "this is something I'm willing to work hard for, be patient about and make sacrifices for" way.
When I was in the abyss, Michael used to ask me,
"What do you want?"
The question was a puzzle to me at the time. My most common answers were:
1. "Whatever you want."
2. "For everybody to be happy."
3. "I don't know."
4. "What do you mean?!"
This was even more puzzling for Michael. I feel like he always knows what he wants. I see him as someone for whom it's as easy to know what he wants as it is to take a deep breath. Natural, almost reflexive. Not for me.
When I didn't know what I wanted -- REALLY WANTED -- I tended to be a little impulsive (understatement). Maybe I wanted it. Maybe I didn't. Who knows? Who cared? It was there and perhaps I would never find what I really wanted -- so I'll take that. No matter what that was.
Perhaps I really wanted a hug. I didn't know that's what I wanted though. So I'll take a piece of bread.
Perhaps I really wanted a new job. But not having that much insight, I'll take something shiny and useless.
I have had to build those muscles. Muscles I didn't even know were there.
What do I want?
I've found other new muscles. These muscles have appeared out of nowhere apparently from digging up my clay-ridden backyard to make it suitable for planting herbs that I may one day put in my food. I did not know I had these muscles either but apparently getting out of bed and into the sun on a beautiful L.A. spring afternoon builds muscles. Who knew?
But look at what it gets you.
This week I got my dresser. It is the perfect dresser. It is the perfect size. The perfect stain. It is something that took about 18 years to figure out. It was delivered yesterday. Though I went to Stitch n' Bitch tonight, what I fantasized about was to go home and smile at my new dresser. You may ask, "What does this dresser represent?"
I'd like to tell you.
To me, it represents being able to get what I want. Not just in the Veruca Salt-way, but rather in the "this is something I'm willing to work hard for, be patient about and make sacrifices for" way.
When I was in the abyss, Michael used to ask me,
"What do you want?"
The question was a puzzle to me at the time. My most common answers were:
1. "Whatever you want."
2. "For everybody to be happy."
3. "I don't know."
4. "What do you mean?!"
This was even more puzzling for Michael. I feel like he always knows what he wants. I see him as someone for whom it's as easy to know what he wants as it is to take a deep breath. Natural, almost reflexive. Not for me.
When I didn't know what I wanted -- REALLY WANTED -- I tended to be a little impulsive (understatement). Maybe I wanted it. Maybe I didn't. Who knows? Who cared? It was there and perhaps I would never find what I really wanted -- so I'll take that. No matter what that was.
Perhaps I really wanted a hug. I didn't know that's what I wanted though. So I'll take a piece of bread.
Perhaps I really wanted a new job. But not having that much insight, I'll take something shiny and useless.
I have had to build those muscles. Muscles I didn't even know were there.
What do I want?
I've found other new muscles. These muscles have appeared out of nowhere apparently from digging up my clay-ridden backyard to make it suitable for planting herbs that I may one day put in my food. I did not know I had these muscles either but apparently getting out of bed and into the sun on a beautiful L.A. spring afternoon builds muscles. Who knew?
But look at what it gets you.
Labels: Body Electric, New Year's Revolution
Stumble It!
The story of Michael and me.
4 Comments:
I really really like the dresser - and I glad you can get what you wanted and figured it out - now, is there another dresser like that around there because I think I've figured out what I want too.
It has lots of drawers for your special things...which is always good!
You are probably so over me by now-- but after reading your invisible woman entry-- I realize that we were actually separated at birth, though we took way different paths. My hair grew in naturally red-- crazy, copper-penny red and I went all religious. But, rape victim, therapy patient, invisible woman, democrat, writer, redheaded, anorexia not bulemia-- but still! Okay. You're about twenty steps ahead of me in figuring out your relationship with the man in your life. But, again, still! The ring's on my finger and I said yes, and I love him. And, well, that's a lot. I have about a hundred questions for you. Mostly, because you're steps ahead of me and the unknown is hard for me. But, I'm willing to take the risk Okay, time to stop! Thanks for blogging.
I don't know what I'm more envious of - your GORGEOUS new dresser, your wonderful husband, your beautiful peach tree, your emerging new muscles, or your celebration of yourself.
Back to bellybutton lint for me.
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