So a flood is coming. The man has been warned. He sees the waters rising. He’s standing in his front yard praying for God to save him when another man floats by on an inner tube. The man on the tube says, “Hey, there’s room on my tube. You better come with me.” The first man says, “I’ll be alright. God will save me.”
The waters rise forcing the man to climb the side of his house to wait for God’s help on his roof. Just then a motor boat goes by, and a woman in the boat yells up at him, “Hey! We’ve got room. You better come with us!” The man yells back, “That’s nice of you, but I’m fine. God will save me.”
The waters begin to crest the house. The man is running out of time as he continues waiting and praying on the roof. Suddenly a helicopter appears. The pilot hovers over the man’s house and sends down a rope. The man waves off the pilot. The pilot cannot hear the man over the roar of the helicopter. What the pilot couldn’t hear was the man yelling, “Thank you, but God will save me.”
After the man enters the gates of heaven, he summons up the courage to approach God. The man says, “I don’t understand. I prayed. I waited. I had faith. Why didn’t you save me?”
God said, “Geez, Buddy. I sent a rubber raft, a boat and a helicopter. What more could I have done?”
…..
I think I get it.
I have read the inspirational quotes and the self-help books. I have done my homework on how to be present in a relationship. This time I actually expressed my wants and needs. I didn’t expect him to read my mind. I didn’t hide who I was or pretend to be what I thought he wanted. Oh sure, I messed up, too. But I was honest, and authentic and I tried.
I’ve been wondering if the Universe (God, Karma, whatever) really does conspire to give us what we want. And then this morning at 4:15 it hit me. When I made the choice to say goodbye to him, I put myself in a position to get what I want. I am part of the Universe. I can continue to not have my needs met, or I can get out. If I can’t get what I want in this relationship, after giving it a good try, then I have to put myself in a position to be open to try again. The Universe can’t help until I am ready for the help — until I help myself.
How long are you going to be waiting on the roof?
You’ve had an ‘ah ha’ moment. I hope you have a new sticky note on your cupboard. I think your sharing thoughts IS therapeutic. Keep up the good work.
You sure do have a lot of insight into life. Are you sure that you aren’t a professional psychologist, psychiatrist, etc? You sure do give us a lot to think about. On the roof — that’s brilliant.
YES!! I’m so happy for you!
Your healing process is an honor to witness.
Wow.
Phyllis,
I don’t know about insights… It feels more like I’m standing around waiting for the 2×4 to hit me in the head. When it finally does, I often feel like I’m the last one to get the memo.
When I read your Universe quote, I thought, “Jesse, you ARE the Universe.” Or, to put it in other words, the fact that God lives in you means you are only limited by the body He/She inhabits. I wanted to share that with you, but at 4:15 a.m. you discovered it for yourself.
You have always been a collector of sisters. Phyllis and Donna and others are a part of your ever growing sisterhood. They sound like people I’d love to know.
Pat,
I LIKE that … ‘Collector of Sisters’. That’s good. Never been much interested in titles. ‘Mom’ and ‘Collector of Sisters’ – two very honorable titles.
I’d take you as a sister in a second… think I already did along time ago…
I’ve been thinking about this last post, and doing some strong thinking about it. I have told myself, that after the last really bad fight with husband, that if I ever felt that way again, where you can’t breathe, can’t feel, can’t cry anymore, that I would leave, that would be it. How many fights do there have to be, before I wake up? There will be another, will I have another excuse or will I finally jump for my life boat?
Thank you for everything you do…
Dearest Annie,
I want to clarify that I love and respect you no matter what choices you make. I hope that is obvious to you. I simply write about the choices that I make. A lot of times I benefit, but the jury is still out on some of those choices.
Know that I’m still holding the net in one hand (whether you need it or not), and an excellent cup of coffee in the other.
Love you.
Dear Annie and to all of our sisters,
I care about each of you so much. Annie, if you choose to leave it will be very hard. And only you can know if it is the right thing or not ( to leave or stay ). And even for you it will be a very confusing and difficult decision. Just know that we all care about you. And no matter what you decide — or how long it takes-we are thinking of you and loving you from afar. Thank you Jesse for bringing us all together. You are wonderful. We love and appreciate you so much. Annie, try to get a little money together — of your very own — just in case. Be prepared. We are with you. We truly care. I left my husband 11 months ago. And I am 68 years old. I have shed many tears — but many of them have been from relief. I wouldn’t go back for anything. Even though it has been hard. Never again will I let a man abuse and control me. I love all of you. I mean it.
Phyllis,
You once told me that you thought it would be difficult for some to write of their struggles in relationships. I am so grateful for your courage and your desire to share your wisdom with us. You must know how valuable it is for others to hear of your journey. It’s all about that “dropping of the keys”, and I have to think that you benefit, as much as we do, from your sharing.
love you, too.
Jess