Rabbits!
Subtitle: Why Do I Cry At All The Wrong Things? First Part in a Series of Tell-All Posts by MIP
I do not cry at:
-weddings
-funerals
-movies (except for “Big Fish”)
-the sad bios they do of the Olympic athletes
I did not cry at my father’s funeral. I think I was just too worried about my family and how they were doing and I didn’t like the whole event – I just wanted it to be done and I wanted everyone to know that Dad was the Best Ever and I didn’t cry one tear. But about two weeks later, Rabbits Day came around. On the first of the month, every month since I had been in high school, Dad and I had this contest where we had to be the first to say “Rabbits!” to the other. Sometimes it was a phone call, “Mom, get Dad on the phone, and don’t tell him it’s me!” “RABBITS!” “Oh, Kelli, you got me again.” Sometimes it was a bag of little plastic rabbits left on his front porch for him to find, and, more often than not, it was him getting me, “RABBITS!” “Aw, man! Dad, I was gonna get you today!” “Nope. I win. You lose. You lost four months in a row now. I win. I beat you.”
So the first of December rolled around, and he was gone. I put on my “I’m feeling sad” album, The Best of the Carpenters,and cried the whole entire stinkin’ day. Now, don’t leave me hangin’ here: leave me a comment and tell me I’m not crazy. Or tell me what you cry about that doesn’t make any “sense.”
SuperBoy Talks It Over with Grandpa
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August 1st, 2008 at 8:26 am
You are not crazy… and thanks for sharing this story.
It made me remember rabbits from College.
I remember when Andrew broke his neck.. and I was never more frightened in my life. I wouldn’t cry… my dad, Don, everyone just cried… as the news kept getting worse that first 24 hours. I had to hold them together.
It wasn’t until we found out that he was going to be fine/ with no permanent damage.. I was at home doing laundry and was folding some of his clothes in the closet and the first thought was… what if things weren’t okay.. How could I have managed touching his stuff without remembering him… I cried for HOURS.
August 1st, 2008 at 8:56 am
I cry every time I have to listen to the Carpenters.
August 1st, 2008 at 9:05 am
Tammy: Thanks.
Roger: Ha. C’mon, tell me it isn’t good to feel the pain on All you get from love is a love song…
August 1st, 2008 at 10:10 am
Love that picture…that alone would make me cry!
Of course you would cry…I even remember the craziness of RABBITS!(and those who tried to jump on board). Even though I saw her every week and lived close by, my mom would usually call Sat. mornings to see how I was…esp if Eddie was working. I guess those losses confirm the loss of that person in our lives, so that gives us permission to cry!
It makes no “sense” to me when I start crying (sometimes heavily) when I hear of others losses/hard times, yet I don’t often get that way for myself.
I’ve almost even cried for the frustration the Brewers must be feeling….(j/k…I’m annoyed!!!!). We got schooled….ouch!
August 1st, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Like the other bloggers, seeing PK’s pic brought tears to my eyes-sometimes when I see peeps I have to hold it back. I cried most recently because people on both sides of my family were calling me about serious problems- within five minutes of each other. Wanting to help when I can’t do a thing-but pray. Seeing my kids accomplish things they have worked hard at. Now that I am typing all this I can feel the tears coming again.
I am glad you have the “Rabbits” memory,Kelli. It’s a treasure. I love the carpenters too.
August 1st, 2008 at 9:57 pm
When my dad died in 2000, I didn’t really feel much at all until after I had viewed his body (which was very weird and I don’t know why we did it but I guess it’s something Jewish). I hadn’t shown any emotion at all to that point. But as soon as the guy handed me his belongings (watch, wallet, house/car keys), I just lost it. It wasn’t until that point that I put everything in context. Seeing all that stuff made me think of all the memories we made and that we wouldn’t be making any new ones. That was the toughest part of the whole ordeal.
Have you ever seen Saving Private Ryan? Right before the big last battle to save the bridge, Matt Damon is talking with Tom Hanks and he says “I can’t see their (his dead brother’s) faces. I don’t even remember what they looked like.” Tom Hanks replied, “You have to put it in context.” Or something like that. The point is it’s all about context. For you, your context is “RABBITS!”. Not crazy at all. In fact, I’d say it’s healthy. Roger has a point though about The Carpenters. You should consider seeing somebody about that one.
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:51 am
Everyone told me that I would bawl while watching Mel Gibson’s “The Passion”. I went with several friends and they all weeped and used up boxes of kleenex. I wasn’t able to shed one tear. For me, I guess I couldn’t cry because I already knew what was going to happen. Whereas, I can bawl through all kinds of other movies.
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:30 am
Sue and n8 – thanks.
I have to admit to blinking back tears while reading the comments you all left. Thanks for helping me realize I’m not crazy. Well… maybe a little crazy – i.e. The Carpenters thing…
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:32 am
Carol and Little Miss: Thanks!
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I’m gonna go with “you crazy.”
I never got the rabbits thing. It’s funny that remembering “rabbits” does absolutely nothing as far as bringing up tears for me. However, every time I mow my lawn and go past the little pine trees I planted. . . probably just allergies though.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Jeff: n8 calls that “context,” not allergies.