Friday, June 7, 2013

A Case of the Why Not's

There will not be a post about My Grief Project today as regularly scheduled.  To make up for it I will have two back to back Grief Posts at the end of the month.

But today we will explore how I got a "case of the Why Not's."



As I was sharing my upcoming plans with my co-worker I said in passing, "Well, we will be in France that week so I can't make that meeting."

She tilted her head and squinted her brow while looking at me inquisitively responding with, "I didn't know you were going to France. When did that happen?"

"Well..." I started as I took a deep breath--often times I get nervous when I have to reference Nora's death, "A few weeks after Nora died my husband and I decided to plan for something to look forward to, something to bring a small amount of anticipation back into our lives."   (Which is also recommended by grief experts, making plans and setting goals to help you get through the messy parts of grief and remember that life is worth living.)

"That's great! Good for you." She responded.

"Yeah, you know, after she died I was like 'F*%! It, might as well.'"

She responded with a very therapeutic answer, (as she is a therapist), "I don't think that is a "F*%! It.  I think that is a case of the 'Why Not's.'" 

I thought about it for a second, and she was right.  Going to France was a "Why Not," not a "F*%! It." I wasn't giving up on life like the latter implied, I was living it again.  Living life to the fullest capacity and realizing with my "Why Not" trip to France that life isn't only about your job, folding the laundry, or hiding in your house thinking that the outside world won't find you and shatter your dreams if you huddle inside.

Life is about living.  Doing the things you want to do, doing the things that make your heart sing, the things that make you happy.

So, the reason I will not be sharing a Grief Project post today is because of the case of the "Why Not's" that Nick and I live life by now.  We are in Paris.  We are traveling through France.  We are living life to the fullest, because you never know how long you've got on this planet.  So we are throwing caution to the wind (mostly money as Nick would say) and are enjoying the coast of France.

I mean, wouldn't you?  Live a little.  Come on, "Why Not!"

4 comments:

  1. Amazing as always Lindsey- there is for sure something liberating about throwing yourself completely into an adventure especially in the face of so much uncertainty. I even have a theme song for it! I think the hook of this tune could have been "ahhh why not"- which may have enabled increased radio play but probably wouldn't be as quite as catchy.

    http://youtu.be/EXRLUeVXpMA

    Wishing you the best.
    Lindsay

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  2. Bon voyage, mon ami. Why not, indeed? Have a beautiful trip.

    Warmly,
    Alice

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  3. I like the idea of looking at life in a "Why Not?" way. I've been trying to do the same thing. We're taking a "Why Not?" trip to Italy in two weeks. I hope you both have a wonderful time in France.

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  4. YES! The Why Not's are the best. Enjoy.

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