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Things That Don’t Suck

By on July 7, 2010 in Life

At about 9 pm I got the skype message: “Gracie has a brain tumor.”

I couldn’t breathe.

My heart and thoughts immediately went to my friend, EPW, and her daughter who were so far far away. All I wanted to do was be there and that was impossible.

Which totally sucked and gave me a feeling of powerlessness that I hadn’t experienced in a very long time.

So, I did what I always do in situations like this, I completely focused on exactly how much it all sucked. This tumor in Gracie’s brain, EPW’s heartache, my inability to help in any meaningful way – the whole damn thing.

Yes, I am that advanced. When faced with events of this magnitude, I brood over the suck factor for a good while.

Then, in the midst of my brooding, I looked around and realized that, in spite of itself, this crappy situation had created and drawn my attention to some things that most definitely did not suck.

So I made a list so I would remember. Here’s what I have so far:

1) Social media has created a network of powerful friends who are deeply connected.

2) Because of it, I have a friend who has flown to San Francisco to be with EPW and Gracie for a week.

3) Because of it I have a friend who lives in San Francisco who thinks like I do and is amazingly willing to be the hands and feet I cannot be.

4) I’ve ramped up my texting game because that is the best, fastest and easiest method of communicating with EPW and Allison Nazarian.

5) I’ve mercifully been jarred out of my ego-centric existence and am now focusing on giving what I can to help someone else.

6) I get to watch my BFF and her amazing daughter move through such a challenging event with honesty and grace.

7) I am much quicker – almost to the point of annoying I’m sure – to say “I love you” to those that matter to me.

8) I am inspired by it all.

That’s my list so far. And I plan on adding to it as the days go by.

What about you, faithful Live Your Truth readers? What can you say does not suck about this or any other challenge you might be facing?

Related posts:

  1. The Many Ways in Which I Suck
  2. Goals Suck!
  3. (book review) UnMarketing by Scott Stratten: marketing doesn’t have to suck. #footnotesFTW
  4. Yet More Evidence That People Are Awesome.
  5. The reason why EPW is MIA…
  • http://topsy.com/elizabethpottsweinstein.com/things?utm_source=pingback&utm_campaign=L2 Tweets that mention Things That Don’t Suck | ElizabethPW — Topsy.com

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Elizabeth Weinstein, Mimi Muircastle and others. Mimi Muircastle said: Totally nonsucky awesome post! RT@ElizabethPW New post from @SarahRobinson Things that Don't Suck http://elizabethpottsweinstein.com/things [...]

  • http://allisonnazarian.com/ Allison Nazarian

    SR, Love you and one of the good things to come out of this is your texting. I know EPW would agree. We will make an addict out of you yet!
    Love you (I said that already) and thanks for reminding me that I am not weird (or at least that I am not weird alone) by 1) sometimes focusing on suck factor and 2) using blog posts and blog post titles in my head as a means of self-therapy

    xxoo ~ Alli

  • meganmatthieson

    Sarah- I'm on vacation in Italy- in this insanely beautiful spot- and this post brought tears to my eyes. So much love through the words, through the crazy internet space machine, around the world. And I sit where you sit. I feel what you feel. I'm so very grateful.

  • http://elizabethpottsweinstein.com ElizabethPW

    Thanks for being there for me & writing this post & I'm excited that you are now texting #itsthelittlethings

    #loveyou #thatisall

  • http://www.randomshelly.com Shelly

    That is a great list! What does suck is distance and the bad things that happen. What does not suck is seeing community/tribes coming together… support and encouragement – joy in triumphs.

  • http://www.randomshelly.com Shelly

    Just had to say – love your #2! :)

  • http://www.randomshelly.com Shelly

    You know right when I hit enter… I thought “that sounds like I'm saying I love her sh*t” Well while not literally… I do love love your sh*t… but I was referring (as I'm sure you know, to the blog posts in your head! I do that sometimes – posts I never write and some I do :)

  • http://www.thankyouforyoursex.com Lena.FM

    This is a great blog post! I do the same thing – lists of things that don't suck in the midst of things that do. Or sometimes, no list but….you know, that thing, a reminder. <3

  • http://www.accessabundance.com/ Teresa Romain

    What does not suck in the midst of all my sucky challenges is that none of them are life-threatening. Not really. Maybe lifeSTYLE-threatening – but that's not the same as life-threatening for me or anyone I love. What does not suck (and I have to keep remembering this) is that I have the opportunity and ability to do something about it – and to create changes. Any sense of helplessness I attempt to wallow in is not REAL… it's drama. And what does not suck is that I am beginning to meet and interact with people like you and EPW and others online who inspire me to take those steps and make those changes and embrace me and my life. Finally, what doesn't suck is that I am alive… and that God is at work in my life in ways I do not always see, understand or even like… but that, if I only trust, will result in me having more things that do not suck in my life.

    Love you back! :-)

  • lorilatimer

    The first thing that popped into my mind that doesn't suck is that we are fortunate enough to live in this amazing country with amazing doctors and technology that are actually able to do something to help this adorable little child.

    And that's the best thing I can think of that doesn't suck.

    You know I love you :)

    xoxo

  • brittmichaelian

    Sarah, even those of us who seem to have it all together still have those “Oh crap” moments where our thoughts spin out of control. We just gather it together a little quicker!

    As I am dealing with my mom and her completely out of the blue lung cancer, I have seen the many blessings that come out of hardships like this. The number one thing that happens in these types of situations is that friends and family come out of the woodwork to support each other . It is a beautiful thing to witness. And they are inspired and reminded of the love they feel for their loved ones, which is such a blessing.

    Another amazing thing that happens during times like this is that we all are reminded of what matters in life. Life is not about the money, the success, the vacations, the big house or the bright shiny objects. Life is about love.

    Thanks for sharing your wisdom and for having such a big heart, Sarah :)
    We are all lucky to have you here with us!
    xoxo.

  • JackiYo

    What doesn't suck? Knowing little Gracie was in surgery at the exact moment I was at the beach with my two miracles made me so much more aware and in tune with just being grateful for the simple things. Watching my two splash in the waves made my heart ache and soar all at the same time. (I even felt a little guilty knowing what was going on in SF. But then, what would the point of NOT going to the beach with my kids have been?!)

    My Gracie be splashing the waves very soon. Smiling and walking and singing… splashing can't be far behind.

    Sending my love to some of my “fake” friends.