Sun on the Other Side

Image

We see the silhouette. On the other side of the shadow is the sun.

Daily affirmation: The gray will lead to spring. It always does. Unless you are in that book by Cormac McCarthy. That was kind of  a downer.

* * *

Boy do I owe my sister and her kids more than just dinner. I also owe my friend Jon a bottle of expensive libation. Most of the furniture that was delivered yesterday has been assembled. My delicate nerd hands are sore, but my place is looking ok. The walls are bare, but won’t be for long. I’m hoping to move my office later today and pick up the remainder of things I’d forgotten in order to do things like prepare and serve food, clean up afterward and hang up clothes. Also, clothes.

Internet and a sofa arrive tomorrow. I am getting there. Still not sure which way is up. If you’ve reached out to me about work, I’ll be getting back to you in a couple of days. Thank you all so much for your support. It means the world to me.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=580472714 LeeAnn Landphair

    Hang in there, Jon! You got this.

  • http://twitter.com/CarenJew Caren Jew

    {{{support}}}

    You are so funny.  Do you mean The Road? That wasn’t bright and optimistic?

    • HollyHKH

       I made that affirmation my Facebook status. Thank you!

  • Nicole Wyatt

    Approximately 8 million people you don’t know have already said this, but I am loving the daily affirmations Jon. 

  • Sajolie219

    Delicate Nerd Hands is going to be the name of my band, I think. Awesome. 

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/L5FB73O3W6ARSLQ3Q3AHI45WUY jude

    Greater love hath no man, than he will help you move.
    It’s all going to get easier from this point forward.

  • Kirsty Benson

    I’m hoping the empty walls of your new place will be adorned with some of these awesome photos you have been sharing with us!

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/SUHXH62BOCPC7BBMROEXRKW6MU Lisa

    Is it the camera or the photographer? I look at your photos — Heather’s, too — and wonder whether it’s my li’l Canon Rebel XTi something something that’s defective or I’m just not getting it. I mean, I take some good pictures but it takes about 20 photos to get one good shot. Could have something to do with the fact I see all those buttons and dials on my camera as stuff to play with, stuff that makes cool clicking noises, beeps and makes numbers flash, but otherwise have no relevance. Yes, it’s definitely the damn camera. I got ripped off. Son of a bitch.

    • http://twitter.com/bellevida329 Krista Steber

       I’ve tried to replicate his pics too.  It’s the vision imo.  No matter what, I’m not seeing things the same way.  Tho I do have serious geek gear envy when it comes to his cam.  :)  

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1013753396 Shannon Braarud

    I would wager that you owe them nothing.  My mother always said that “If you can, you do.  When you can’t, others will”. I always find it amazing who will hold your hand when the sky is falling.  It sucks that they sky has to fall, but man… it makes you grateful for the people who are there, and loved, no?

  • http://dangermonkey.wordpress.com/ Dangermonkey

    Hang in there Jon! 

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/ZMWLZ7E4WWH5AHN3P7O2PBQORM LAW

    Jon will you sell any of these prints?  I don’t have a decorating bone in my body  and for the most part the only pictures I have on the walls are from either Target or Pier One.  I think between my husband’s man cave and my living room I can find a home for some of your art.

    Also remember to say to yourself — Today is going to be a good day!!!

  • Beth Morley

    I guess because I am also married to someone who struggles with depression, anxiety and that bucket of loveliness — I’m sooooo sympathetic.  Hang in there dude. You can do this and honestly, it might be nice to only be responsible for your own happiness for awhile.  As we say in our house…“Go Jon! go Jon! Go! Go! Go!” 

  • Jackie Hall

    Awesome shot!  My heart hurts for you guys. But, I admire how you both are handleing yourselves in the public eye.  I know it can’t be easy for anyone involved. Hope it all turns out for the best.

  • http://twitter.com/FriedTaters Frank Ingram

    that photo looks strikingly similar to the blood vessels and nerve synapses in the brain.  

  • Disq2079

    Things will seem so much brighter when the internet has been connected and you are reunited with your second monitor :)

  • Aromatics

    Jon Armstrong, you are an inspiration. Both in putting all that stuff together and having such a gorgeous and courageous spirit. Also, “Smudge” is delicious.

  • nina_11209

    Well, whether you want this or not, the sun is gonna be back on this side exactly next morning… So pick up the rest of your stuff, make this torture as short as possible (in retrospect, having a list helps; getting everything done in one visit saves nervous breakdown as well), and come back soon. We’ll be waiting for you here.

    P.S. delicate nerd hands :)

  • http://twitter.com/nisseworks Stacey Brown

    Long time reader, first time commenter here… 

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Carol-Lynn-Chevrier/656933462 Carol Lynn Chevrier

    A really expensive Scotch comes to mind…

  • napangel

    I am loving all of the trees. And spring is just around the corner … everything feels better in the spring. And I am also loving your daily affirmations.

  • http://twitter.com/bellevida329 Krista Steber

    “Sometimes the cards we are dealt are not always fair.  However you must keep smiling & moving on.”

    –Tom Jackson

    Glad to hear your furnitures put together. One day at a time. You’ll get through this. Just try not to get too far ahead of yourself. That’s where it gets too overwhelming to deal with, trust me. Just focus on the now. :) Have a great Tuesday.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=502987655 Julie Hegner

    Pitchers and catchers also lead to spring, and hey, we’re already there!

    In the immortal words of “The Waterboy,” “You can do eet!” Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, and you’ll get there. I’m glad you’ve got an awesome support network to help you through everything.

  • mary mcintyre

    Bless your heart.
    A long-time reader.

  • Kim Funk

    Just remember to keep breathing. The rest becomes easier. But the breathing part? When you stop and think of it, take a deep, deep breath. If your chest is tight when you do this, you haven’t taken a deep breath in a long time. Keep breathing deeply.

  • Michelle Vallet

    Your last two photos–Smudge and Sun on the Other Side–catch the feeling I had when my husband (now ex-husband) came home one day and told me that he didn’t want to be married anymore and was moving to Colorado (our little girl was 18-months old at the time).

    For awhile, everything was blurred and unrecognizable. I felt like I was swimming in confusion, anchored to my life by a girl who still needed me. There were a lot of sleepless nights, worry and heartbreak, anger and defeat.

    Now, three years removed, I not only see the sun, I firmly plant myself in the center, letting it rain over me in the same way I once used to sometimes lose myself in the blurriness. I can even share the bright spots with my ex-husband, who never did move to Colorado. I don’t know that I’d call us friends, but we’ve certainly worked our way through some incredibly difficult dynamics.

    And, as you and Heather seem to be doing, we navigated the territory by continually using Sabine’s welfare and needs as our compass.

    Everyone’s situation is different, and I by no means am suggesting a comparison. Just one more voice, perhaps, wishing you both well, letting you know there’s another side to the sadness that sunnier, calmer, and sometimes different but just as good as what came before.

  • Eponymous4real

    So when are you going to monetize this shit? (I use the term affectionately). We’d understand.

    • http://blurbomat.com/ blurb

      Ha. I need to survey this new audience and see what they want. My tendency would be toward photography, tutorials, self-discovery…

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