Today is the day we have waited for! And oh so worth the wait! Three floating heads, one of whom I actually recognize. Some things never change, but I guess hair color isn't one of those things.
Showing posts with label The Widow June. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Widow June. Show all posts
Friday, September 20, 2013
Friday, August 2, 2013
Mary Worth 1,642
A Play
By Anton Chekhov
(translation from original Russian by Karen Moy)
Setting: The Pax Wellness Resort and Spa is located in the desert, where the infirm come for the restorative qualities of the dry air and the pure agua.
JUNE, a pretty young widow, sits quietly weeping at her table. MARY, a matriarch, approaches her.
MARY: Hello, could you use some company?
JUNE: Yes... I could.
MARY: The beauty of the area seems to bring out deep EMOTIONS in everyone. What brings you to Pax Wellness Resort, June?
JUNE: I lost my husband seven months ago. And I hoped I could heal here.
MARY: I'm sorry for your loss. If you're looking for healing, this place does seem restorative. I just arrived this morning, and already I feel better!
JUNE: I've been here for two days so far. This place IS beautiful. But I find it difficult to be present. Grief is hard to shake.
MARY: (taking her hand) Give yourself time. It is an individual process and cannot be rushed.
JUNE: It's been months since I lost Charlie, and I STILL haven't been able to touch any of his things! Why haven't I been able to move forward in my life? It's like I'm stuck.
MARY: June, just the fact that you're HERE shows that you want to heal and move forward... a good sign! I'm going to take a walk after lunch. Would you like to join me?
JUNE: I'd like that, Mary.
MARY: Come then... Let us enjoy the BEAUTY this place has to offer! (They walk in the desert)
MARY: It's been said... Tears are the silent language of grief. (Sotto voce:) And for some things there are no words. (Seagulls circle over the desert sands, looking for water.)
Mary: William Wordsworth once said, "Come forth into the light of things. Let nature be your teacher." I've always believed we can learn from all people... AND all things.
JUNE: Charlie's things are untouched in the closet... and in drawers! Why can't I move forward?... Why can't I bring myself to touch any of his things?
MARY: June, your being here at Pax Wellness Resort shows that you ARE moving forward... and that you WANT to move past your grief. There's something restorative about being around the beauty of nature. I remember when I became a widow... it seems like only yesterday. Jack was my best friend. I understand your loss.
JUNE: I joined the club no one wants to belong to... and I'm sorry for YOUR loss, but it does help me feel not so alone. Thank you. Were you and Jack married long?
MARY: Not long enough. We met when we were in school... When the possibilities for the future seemed endless.
JUNE: I fell in love with Charlie when we were young, too. Losing him feels like losing my own youth.
MARY: I know what you mean, June. When I look back on my college days... I see Jack.
JUNE: You said you were able to move on after you lost him. How did you do it, Mary?... What's the secret to MY moving on after Charlie? (she weeps)
MARY: I took some much needed time to mourn. It's different for everyone... but take the time.
JUNE: That's why I'm here.
MARY: Take what you can from your experiences here. The atmosphere is beneficial.
JUNE: There is something healing about being around the BEAUTY OF NATURE.
MARY: I view Jack's passing as a lesson... as everything is in life. What can I learn from it?
JUNE: What DID you learn from it?
MARY: I want to be remembered well after I'm gone, as Jack is. I do my best to make it so.
JUNE: I can only try, and hopefully... it's enough.
MARY: I kept busy after Jack died. I realized I was needed in a different capacity.
JUNE: Sometimes it's hard to look beyond myself.
MARY: You're mourning. That's understandable.
JUNE: Maybe after my stay at this resort... I'll feel well enough to do my best work.
MARY: Hallmark once said, "Although it's difficult today, to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow." I can sympathize with you... because I've been there. I UNDERSTAND. I lost Jack a long time ago... but I never really lost him. I try to remember the LOVE we shared... and it HELPS me. After a period of mourning, I felt guilty for moving on. But Jack would want me to live my best life while I can. I know I'll see him again someday. As a widow I know the pain of losing a partner. It helps me be EMPATHETIC toward others.
JUNE (grinning): Like me.
MARY: Like you... who are going through something similar.
JUNE: I get the feeling you help many.
MARY: People tell me I help them through my counsel and friendship.
JUNE: Which you are able to do because you've been in their shoes.
MARY: Who knows the purpose of painful experience? I only know it's helped me HELP OTHERS with their pain.
JUNE: Mary, I'll take what you say to heart... and I'll try to move forward in my life.
MARY: I believe you can and you will, June. Being surrounded by the desert reminds me that LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL. Like anything, to see requires stopping the chaos... outside AND inside yourself.
JUNE: I understand what you mean. I have a class to attend, Mary. Thanks for giving me a shoulder to cry on... and encouragement after Charlie's gone.
MARY: My pleasure, June. Take care of yourself...
[JOAN exits.]
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Friday, July 26, 2013
Mary Worth 1,640
Shortly after my mother-in-law passed away, my father-in-law, only in his late fifties, said to me with tears brimming in his eyes, "You can't understand this until you've gone through it." It's a moment I've never forgotten. It taught me that there is a difference between compassion and empathy, and it is good to be compassionate as long as you remember the limits of your empathy.
I believe his counsel has helped me in my life as I have the opportunity in my professional work to be associated with many widows and widowers. They have taught me many things about grief, about life, and about love as several of them have opened up their hearts much as my father-in-law did.
I admire each of these people for their courage and their faith and their hope that they can emerge stronger, more compassionate, and supportive of those who walk the same path they are walking.
I am quite sure none of them have ever said, shrugging their shoulders, "When my soul mate died, it was a great lesson! I learned that I want to be remembered! La-di-da, la-di-da."
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Mary Worth 1,639
I feel as though I've stepped into a Chekhov play. With cactuses. And yoga. But still Russian.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Mary Worth 1,638
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Mary Worth 1,637
It was presumptuous of me to assume yesterday that the story was ending, when it really never began. Fortunately, there seems to be some sort of African lion hiding in the background, stalking Mary, ready to pounce. This story could get interesting really fast.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Mary Worth 1,636
The Arizona desert served as the perfect metaphor for the loneliness of widowhood in this heartbreaking story, and now that it's over, Mary can return to Santa Royale with a New Perspective. It's the rich character development that makes this comic strip so deeply enduring. I've been weeping all day at June's Pain and Mary's New Perspective.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Mary Worth 1,635
Well, I come back from a week of camping in hot and muggy Virginia (heat index: 105), only to find Mary Worth wandering into the Arizona desert. It may be in the 90's there, but its a dry heat. I hope she's got another bottle of "Agua" with her.
It's nice to be back. I can't tell you how nice it is to be back. It's going to take a few weeks to recover from this alleged "vacation." I look forward to catching up on everyone's comments.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Mary Worth 1,634
Dry those eyes, Chin Napkin. The Deep Emotions that Pax Wellness Center brings out in everyone will keep you very, very busy indeed.
Speaking of another "Beloved Mary..."
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