Sunday, October 24, 2010

The Concept of the Two Minute Cry

Thanks for you kind comments about the mountaintop video. Like almost everyone else in the world I hate the sound of my own voice. Oh my, it's Chicago all the way although the Farmer's voice is even more Chicago, if that's possible. Think Mike Ditka.

You must seriously be careful what you say to me. Katrinka mentioned that I should do more videos. If you say something like that to me I'll be off to the races and then you'll be innundated with videos.

As you know, yesterday was the Harvest Fest in Belvidere, Illinois, just around the corner from where my sister works at the Boone County Conservations District's Heritage Gardens. With her encouragement we put together a booth filled with our things.

Keep in mind that as my brother-in-law reminded me, it has not rained here in two months. TWO STINKING MONTHS!!

So, here's the video. Watch this first and then we'll talk about the Two Minute Cry.



As I pulled into Belvidere it started to sprinkle. We'd been warned by the weather report but we were hoping that it would just be a light rain. The people in Illinois are a tough breed and a little drizzle will not deter them. But, as you can see in the video, it turned into something more. Just after we finished putting up the tent it began to pour.

I'd forgotten something in my car and so I ran to the parking lot, arriving soaked to the bone. Yes, I'd also forgotten my umbrella! There I sat, pondering on the dismal skies and the keen disappointment. Sometimes these things just cut like a knife. My sister and I had worked hard to put this effort together and now we faced a day of sitting inside a soggy tent and watching the rain.

I felt myself tear up and thus began a Farmer's Wife tradition - the Two Minute Cry.

It's cathartic. This is something that began when my doctor gave me some not-so-very-good-news years back. At that time I walked to my car, allowing the full impact of what she suspected to wash over me, and then the tears began.

I cried for about two minutes, allowing the fear and uncertainty to work it's way out. And then something amazing happened. I felt total peace emerge from under that fear. That peace allowed me to move to what I call the "now what?" stage.

Now what? If what the doctor suspects is true then I face the possibility of dying.....

If I'm going to die, then hell's bells, I'm gonna live.....

The two minute cry was over. I had peace and I had a plan. I put the car in gear and drove to the Hematologist's office. That's right, my doctor insisted I leave her office and drive directly to the specialist. My white blood count was astronomically high and she would have put money on the fact that I had leukemia. I did not. The specialist assured me that something was wrong but it was positively not leukemia. After a year my white count returned to normal and no one had a clue as to what had happened.

All I know is that I had learned the benefits of the Two-Minute-Cry. Allow yourself to feel the pain, the fear, the disappointment, whatever it is, and then pick yourself up, dust yourself off and charge back into life with a plan.

I know, I know, sometimes easier said than done but on this day it was just a disappointment, nothing more. And so I had my cry (only 1 minutes because this was actually a minor disappointment) and reached into the back seat for my hot pink umbrella.

I jumped out of the car, pushed the release button and the pink umbrella proceeded to EXPLODE!! Pink rip-stop nylon ripped, metal bent and the useless umbrella almost blew away.

I quickled dashed back to the craft area in the downpour because you're only allowed one Two-Minute-Cry per day!


NOTE: Tommorrow is our staff meeting, but come back on Tuesday to find out what happened next at the Harvest Fest.

11 comments:

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

Enjoyed the video, Suzanne, and the history and application of the two minute cry. Good idea! Your voice..not so Chicago to me, but you do sound like you are about 25 years old. No kidding!!!! Interested in the luggage tags...

Janet said...

Thanks so much for the "two-minute" cry story! This might be a tough week for me, so I'll definitely keep this thought in mind.
(I love the craft booth tour!)

Laura said...

your booth looks so pretty i hope that the rain moved out and you had a good day of sales. i've never been good at the two minute cry...once the water starts it is hard for me to draw it back in... :)
blessings
~*~

Blondi Blathers said...

Oh I like the video thing. And that teeny tiny bit of southern drawl when you say "Mom." Hee!

Terri said...

Sorry about your watered down craft show. This time of year is iffy - even in CA... where we haven't had rain in 6 months. It's raining today! As for your 2 minute cry - it's good for you! Releases the tensions and cleanses. Thanks for validating my theories! <3 Terri

Cheryl said...

You may have had a good ole two minute cry, but reading about it gave me a good two minute smile and a good chuckle. Can't wait to hear the rest of the story. Thanks!
Cheryl

Jenni said...

How disappointing, but your booth sure did look nice anyway. Now where have I heard about this "Two Minute Cry"? I'm not sure it was called that, but I swear, someone else blogged or talked about it recently.Sounds like a good idea!

Vee said...

Not able to get the video to start this morning, but I am curious so will return. I like the idea of a two-minute cry.

Leslie T. said...

Your booth was great! So sorry about the rain.
I LOVE the idea of the two minute cry. Very therapeutic.
I hope that your day improved, but I have to say that the exploding pink umbrella made me laugh. I'm quite sure that it didn't seem too funny to you at the time, but you painted quite the mental picture with your description. I had to chuckle.
I hope that things go well with the trip to your mom's doctor. Have a good Monday, Suzanne!

Vee said...

(I was finally able to reach your video by Googling your site. Now isn't that ridiculous? It will play that way, but not when I go from my blog roll. Sometimes the Internet leaves me shaking my head.)

How very disappointing! You girls set up the sweetest little shop and then it had to go and rain like that.

As for your accent...the only little bit I heard was on the word "pour." I really shouldn't be discussing anyone's accent since my own can be quite thick depending upon how tired I am or how long I've listened to John. :D

So will you gals try again? What about really setting up shop somewhere? You both seem talented enough to pull it off. Perhaps take in consignments from a few other gals doing different things? Just wandering around in my own thoughts here...

Vee said...

strike "seem" and add "are" talented enough to pull it off...