Sunday, September 14, 2008

Realism and Love

Realism: 1) interest in or concern for the actual or real, as distinguished from the abstract, speculative, etc. 2) In literature: a theory of writing in which the ordinary, familiar, or mundane aspects of life are represented in a straightforward or matter-of-fact manner that is presumed to reflect life as it actually is.
I have a tendency to fantasize (not in the sexual way that the word is typically understood to describe) when thinking about anything, which is good in moderation. Everyone does this to some degree. In other words, I imagine things to be different than they really are with the intention of making them what I imagine they should be or praying that God will make them so. Prayer requires imagination. May we always be awed by the world and the situations the Creator has placed us in, whether good or bad. In other words, may we view the world we live in with excitement, both the good and bad parts, instead of thoughtlessly performing our routines until we die.
I have known Christy for three or four years and have mostly had a romanticized notion of her, mainly being around her when we were at work or meeting to run or have a drink etc, but not seeing the ugly, the unlovable, even the grotesque parts of who she is. Several days ago she sent me a message saying that she was at home in pain and hungry. When I arrived at her house she was crying from the pain and spitting in a trash can because of the operation on her mouth. She looked tired and sick, weighing 95 pounds when she should weigh 115 pounds. My understanding of who she is is a bit more accurate now, not just by seeing these things but by sitting and talking with her as well. Loving Christy means more to me now and probably to her as well.

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