March 23rd, 2023

Who dat?  Well, anyone who had little ones 50 or so years ago (holy crap I'm old) would recognize this guy as Shel Silverstein, or as he was sometimes known, Uncle Shelby.  He's the fellow who wrote the books, "Where the Sidewalk Ends", "The Giving Tree" and "A Giraffe and a Half"  for example.  One of my favourites is, "Uncle Shelby's ABZ's".  Much of what he wrote was particularly beloved by children (and their parents) but he wrote adult things as well.

He was something of a renaissance man, illustrating and writing  short stories, poetry and books.  But are you aware that he also wrote music? (some of my favourite Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show songs were written by him.  Also on his list of accomplishments were several plays:  "Abandon all hope",  "All Cotton" and "Blind Willie and the Talking Dog" for example.  He was a singular talent with an amazing mind.

I mostly adored Shel Silverstein's stuff. And why wouldn't I?  He made us think at the same time that he delighted, informed, educated and entertained people of all ages for a very long time which is an amazing legacy to leave behind.  I was a huge fan.  Anything he wrote, Everything he created, I was on board with. Until I read the following Shel Silverstein quote:  "There are no happy endings.  Endings are the saddest part."  I disagree.  

Well I somewhat disagree.  I disagree with conditions.  Yes it is true that Some ends are sad, I will admit that.  Can't really argue it. I've cried often enought to prove the truth of it.   But not all  endings are sad.  His quote makes a poor blanket statement.

Not all endings are sad.  There, I've said it.  And I stand behind it.

Here are two examples:

Last week, I 'graduated' from Physical Therapy.  Woohoo!  They have taught me well, given me the tools I need to get back to my old self which means that it's now up to me to finish the job.  But my time at PT, my weekly visits and torture session have come to an end.  Everyone there was absolutely wonderful, I learned so much and I was pleased with every minute of it. (well almost every minute, pain is pain, right?)  BUT my time there has come to an end.  And I am happy to wave good-bye to that chapter of my life.  Here is the tee-shirt they gave me as a graduation present.  Wasn't that a nice surprise?

Here's another example:

Over this past weekend we had a dumpster brought in so that we could finally FINALLY get rid of all of the leftover construction related crap that the builders left behind in multiple piles all over the dang yard.  ARGH!  We finally got to a point in the work in the project room where we do not need anything in any of those piles.  Nor will we be adding any additional large crap to any of the piles.  The small bits of work left in the project room are slow and time consuming but do not create big ungainly debris.  (only small unattractive debris which is easily incorporated into the weekly garbage pick up).

So the dumpser was delivered late last week and Sunday was spent incorporating all of those piles of rubble and rubbish into one big pile in the dumpster!  We dealt with dirt and nails and splinters and bugs and spiders and one seriously PO'd snake to say nothing of just the sweat and strain of the job. But it's done. It's over.  The dumpster people hauled it all away yesterday and there is nothing left but the memory.  I could not be happier about that particular ending.

And that's just two examples off the top of my head. I know that there are loads of others.  And while yes, I agree, in general that endings can be sad (the end of a bag of M&M's is a very sad moment)  sometimes, endings are not only not sad, but happy and very satisfying.

This one time, Mr. Silverstein, I must disagree with you. Just the one time mind you. The rest of the time you are absolutely correct.

Oh and something else to keep in mind,  The end of everything is the beginning of something else.  And beginnings are, quite often, very good things.