Sometimes, Life Just Leaves You Puzzled

I am (sometimes, not too often) surprised at what people will do.

There was a funeral at our church today. It was for a man my husband's age, who died of a massive heart attack completely unexpectedly - although, hello, that sounds REALLY ridiculous, for what heart attack is expected? - that we had seen at our fancy formal party last week.

I sat in the lot after the school had emptied out and watched the attendees file into the church and I thought about the man who died. I didn't know him except for in passing, but he could have been my husband.

And then I drove around the parking lot to pick up my daughter from after school activities and got boxed in by two cars, who were insistent that they NOT move so that I could make a three point turn in a very tight space in order to turn around - and one of the women yelled at me that my van was too big and it wasn't HER fault that I didn't know how to drive.

My blood pressure made a HUGE spike. An enormous spike.

I parked far away, left my other kids and walked up to get my daughter, who had left and walked all around the buildings to find me - and I passed one of the women who had boxed me in, who was complaining about the traffic and heard her say, "God, did someone die or something? This traffic is c-r-a-z-y."

And my pressure went higher.

I couldn't find my daughter, who had continued on her way around the building, and I felt myself getting more and more upset. Not upset in a "I'm crying" way, but in a "I'm really pissed off" way. I could hear my kids, left way back in the van, screaming at each other as I pounded my way back across the parking lot and I seriously thought I was going to have a stroke from the fact that I was so aggravated.

I passed the church, saw the ongoing funeral, and just like that, I lost my anger.

I'm REALLY tired of being reminded that none of it matters. Seriously, I never thought I was a slow learner, but I think someone else is convinced I need to learn this lesson weekly.

 

Comments

[Headless Mom]

I think that woman-in-traffic may have gotten a piece of my mind.

[addy]

I commend you for your response. I probably would be incarcerated or something after that. I know I would have told her about the unfortunate circumstance of the gentleman's passing. Just to see her reaction. Well done Carmen!

[Katherine]

Someone is trying to tell you something... a good lesson. And I am being told this same something by reading your stories. A very good reminder... THANK YOU!

[KG]

Well it is definitely a good lesson to be reminded of, even if the reminders are painful. Sometimes I wish there was a setting you could change, "alert me monthly" as opposed to weekly. Of course I probably actually need an hourly reminder!

I have however, been thinking about how inconsiderate people are and what a poor example they are setting for our children. Especially in a setting as you described today. How can you be SO un-christianlike... in a church parking lot? That is one puzzle I CANNOT figure out!

[Rox]

I agree -- the constant reminders are annoying. Ever since my diagnosis with a lung disease, certain friends keep asking me if it's terminal and/or if I'm dying (and they ask over and over again). My response? "We're all dying." Kind of shuts them up...

[Jennifer]

You know my dad died unexpectedly from a massive heart attack and I remember at the wake and funeral some people asking me if he had high blood pressure, as if he had something personally to do with his dying of a heart attack. I mean it was totally crazy. I don't understand why people can't just say "my deepest condolences" and just leave it at that.
I digress. Great post, though.

[jan]

I've tried to keep my anger and patience in check lately as I found myself snapping and flipping a little too frequently. My hubby just turned 51 and that scares me a little ... last thing I want is for either of us to have problems with high blood pressure due to stress and anger!

[Ann]

I am just now catching up on your posts...and Yes, God does constantly remind all of us to be greatful for what we have...I, unfortunately, was reminded that this week when one of my dear friends' son was just diagnosed with brain cancer, another great friend..breast cancer..and on top of all of that, one of my dearest friends' father just passed. It amazes me how they handle all of the stress. I am not sure I would handle it so well. Good luck in the parking lot. Some of my worst fights were in that church parking lot!