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[whatsupcroc]

I don't really like doing that announcement thing, but since I'm her roommate... Snow White's gone home! Which is good, that means she's finally back with James, who's her total love at first sight wonderful husband and she has a daughter that maybe she'll get to see now so I'm happy for her. Right, and Al left too, but that was last month. Uh... a few others, but I don't really know the full list.

It makes me curious about something else, though. What do you guys do to show you remember and care about people who you'll probably never see again in this lifetime?

Comments

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[reassures]

By remembering them.

[It's proven to be a lot more difficult than she likes to admit.]

By trying to remember what they would have wanted for me-- or what they would not have wanted for me.

[whatsupcroc]

How do you know what that is, really?

[reassures]

You don't.

I think if you're trying though, then you'll do something they would have wanted you to, even if they wouldn't have wanted the rest.

[whatsupcroc]

I guess that makes sense, actually. If they knew you well enough, then doing the kinds of thing you usually would has to be good every so often.

[reassures]

Right. They would also know that you probably can't do everything that would make them proud.

[whatsupcroc]

Is disappointing people who can't be around to tell you they're disappointed better or worse, you think, than those who are?

[reassures]

I think it might be worse.

You'll never know whether or not they would really be disappointed in you.

[whatsupcroc]

I wonder if that doesn't end up making you even more your own harshest critic if you let yourself think like that. Keeping people happy who aren't even there is like fighting invisible snowmen in the desert!

[reassures]

Fighting invisible snowmen sounds a little easier. At least they would melt eventually.

[whatsupcroc]

Ah, but would you know? Around here?

[reassures]

No. Maybe not around here.

[whatsupcroc]

Then maybe it's not something we need to worry about, just like we don't need to worry about invisible snowman fights. If it is there, or if it isn't, we won't know either way. Why weigh ourselves down with the things that might not even be real?

[reassures]

Because even if they might not be real, they might also exist.

I think that possibility is enough to make people do a lot of things.

[whatsupcroc]

Has it made you do a lot of things?

[reassures]

I wouldn't say "a lot", no.

Has it made you?

[whatsupcroc]

Lately, it's been the people and things that are there that makes the biggest impact for me.

[reassures]

What about the things that aren't there?

Do they not matter as much now?

[whatsupcroc]

Yes. But it's a little like the invisible snowmen. I know they're there, and they matter to me. But they can go unnoticed around here, and it's good that way!

[reassures]

Is it difficult to do things that way?

[whatsupcroc]

For me?

[reassures]

Yes.

[whatsupcroc]

Nope! Would it be for you?

[reassures]

I don't know. I haven't tried.

[whatsupcroc]

Do you think you will try?

[reassures]

[There's a rather significant pause before she actually responds.]

I don't know.

I thought I was ready to live without looking for invisible snowmen, but it's difficult here.