If you're a frequenter of Facebook, you're probably familiar with this face. If you don't do social media, let me introduce you.
This is Grumpy Cat, the cat with the permanent bad attitude. Her real name is Tartar Sauce. She is an eleven-year-old mixed breed, lives with her owner Tabatha Bundesen, in Morristown, Arizona, and is affected by feline dwarfism. Not only is she a foul-mouthed star of Facebook, this furry feline has spawned a marketing blitz. You can find her on such things as t-shirts, coffee mugs, and who knows what all. Want to know more? Just google "Grumpy Cat."
This reason I bring up this bad-tempered beast is that I'm beginning to sound and act just like her I fear. It occurred to me yesterday that I am developing a tendency to speak sharply to friends and family and to complain when no complaint is warranted. My smile is little in evidence these days, and I don't laugh as much as I used to.
Why do you think I'm turning into a human version of Grumpy Cat? Could it be constant pain is making a grouch out of me? It's not like I can put it aside for a bit while I have a pleasant conversation with a loved one. It's there, the pain is, screaming for attention, not allowing me to have a moment's privacy to be myself. Damn pain! Damn it, I say.
The knowledge of what a curmudgeon I've become gives me pause to think about how really fortunate I am. There are people right this minutes, suffering with pain much more severe than mine, people without friends and family to support them, without the material blessings that I enjoy.
I have to fix this attitude. I can do little about the pain right now except what I'm doing. But I can find that smile and put it back where it belongs--on my face.
Like this!
Now you smile too, Gumpy Cat. Don't let that dwarfism thing steal your joy.
This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 03/25/2013, Barbara Anne said ...
So sorry to hear you pain persists. Have you any lovely pain pills you could take (with food so they have a good landing place) and serenely zone out? That sort of living better thru chemistry would likely provide you the relief you need from the pain. Methinks this is the time to tell you doctor you need the big guns of anti-inflammatory and pain medicines.
Parhaps, too, your pharmacist and doctor need to take another look at the possibility (however small) that some of this is an allergic reaction since it seemed to start when you started taking some new meds.
I'd not seen Grumpy Cat and had no idea that there was a feline version of dwarfism.
LOVE the smiley cat's expression!!
Hope you feel lots better soon! This has gone long enough.
Hugs!
On 03/25/2013, Wanda D. said ...
I especially enjoyed your blogpost today. It made me smile, and it also made me think. Am I too turning into Grumpy Cat? Oh no! I hope you feel better soon. Maybe if spring ever gets here.....
On 03/25/2013, Linda Kay said ...
Sorry to hear you are having unremitting pain - it can be so wearing to deal with. Like water on a stone, wearing away at you. Trying to find some humor can lighten it all a bit. The cat that I find the most entertaining is Henri the French cat suffering from ennui. He makes me laugh every time!
On 03/25/2013, Valerie said ...
You are such a joy even when you are hurting! Praying for you.
On 03/25/2013, Linda said ...
And in spite of it all you are making US laugh. Sending positive thoughts and smiles your way. Thanks for introducing us to Grumpy Cat. :)
On 03/30/2013, Gail said ...
When one lives in pain, sometimes you can put on your "game face" and be pleasant while pain becomes musack, background nose. However, sometimes the burden of carrying the inconvenience and constancy of pain makes me Mrs Crankypants. I try to regroup, and then ask forgiveness from others . Managing the size of pleasant energy I have versus amount of activities and interpersonal interactions is a daily balance. I have learned to forgive myself when I stretch too far and become cranky.
Hope you get healing soon
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