Six-Word Memoirs at SMITH Magazine

Everything changed, but nothing was different.

Backstory

With a nod to JL and her memoir about hearing her mom was ill. Whenever something huge happens like 911 or something enormous happens in my own life, like the death of my father I get this odd sensation. The world or my world has changed dramatically and irrevocably and yet the sun comes up just as did the day before and will until the end of time. How can everything feel so different and look exactly the same as it did?

by notjustagirlintheworld in Six-Word Memoirs on Mar 10, 2013 | | T-shirt

Comments

canadafreeze says,

Life. It catches me off guard all the time.

L2L3 says,

Regardless of what some people claim, humans are not generally comfortable with change, unless it includes a substantial lottery win. Even then, it's often not a smooth transition.

Dragonflower says,

One of the most difficult times for me is right after someone close to me dies. Like NJ says, the world keeps going on, people still buy milk at the store, you are asked cheerily how you are. It is the surreal time.

marymc says,

And how do you answer when someone asks "how are you?". My nature is to be honest, but no one wants to hear that. I don't have it in me to be one of those "fine" people.

notjustagirlintheworld says,

And I don't have it it in me to deal with those whose who try to 'make me feel better' if I say anything else but fine. I don't want hear YOUR list of why I should feel better/could feel worse.

catsmeow says,

Bursting into tears sometimes worked for me. And then a fast exit.

jl333 says,

Exactly...you nailed the backstory. Right after my Mom died...it was a strange realization that all of her stuff was still there. Unmoved. Untouched. That was the real wake up call. Life does go on, even if I have this huge void of my Mom not being around. I love this memoir

KharisJo says,

it's like the opposite of waking from a bad dream- being suddenly plunged into a surreal existence you can't escape from. Have had that feeling twice, walking out of a doctor's surgery.

DynamicDbytheC says,

I completely understand this one. I look around and the world blithely goes on without James.

Believe says,

Love this. Beautiful and tragic.

Loon says,

DDC knows far better than the remainder of we mortals

mercurial says,

superb.

BanjoDan says,

another insightful gem NJ, thanks.

jl333 says,

Congrats on MOTD. Very MOTD worthy

RaisedByWolves says,

Kudooos

oopsalittle says,

Yes I've been there - this memoir takes me back....

notyouraveragegirl says,

Wonderfully explained. I felt the same way after losing my father. When someone you love passes, your would is changed forever. It is void of them. You cannot replace that person or the hole left in your heart. It is the other people in this world who have not been affected that create this illusion. While you are struggling with your new reality, theirs is no different. It is extremely an unsettling feeling.

lillybrook says,

This is exactly right. Well said.