The effects of good news

Downton Abbey. Have you seen it? It's wonderful! I don't watch regular television so I had to wait for the second season to come out on dvd to watch it. Until it did, I watched the first season over and over again. I always do that with movies and shows I really enjoy. In the last episode of the first season there is an poignant scene with the Earl and his valet. The Earl is dealing with a tragic loss, then receives a little good news regarding the valet. He ends the scene with "and today, I need some good news" or something to that effect.

I've been thinking about the effects of good news all week. This has been a really good week for me. In the midst of struggle, heart ache and stress, nothing lifts the spirit like receiving good news. 

First it was an email from my little niece about her mommy. My entire family was overjoyed to see that my sister's hair has finally begun to grow and that it "gets more fuzzy every day." 

Next it was a phone call from my daughter. You should have heard us yelling and shrieking as she told me she passed her GED and is finally a high school graduate! I am so proud of her and what she has accomplished.

That same day my Chaucer professor let me give a little Greek Mythology lesson (I still haven't told you how excited I am about this semester. Stay tuned!) AND I got a message from my friend Amy that she FINALLY renewed her Disney Annual Pass.

The next day I cheered as a friend told me about a first date she went on (Yes, I really do enjoy hearing these kind of stories.)

Yesterday, my son came home late and told me he had been on a date with a girl I really like (in his words: "well, it was a date, but not really a date") and he's going out with her again.

It feels so good to have something-a bunch of things-to smile about! I think it is these things that makes life's turmoils easier to bear. It may not outweigh the turmoil, but good news will always help in getting through the turmoil. Sure, I could get very spiritual and proclaim how I should receive comfort and strength and joy from God alone, but then why have all these life experiences in the first place? Reading a bible verse or praying does bring comfort, joy and makes the unbearable, bearable. So does good news, good things, good experiences AND I thank God for all of it. 

So, my unsolicited advice to you: go spend time with your friends and family. Let them share their good news with you. Revel in the good news. Share with them your good news. Or go make new friends. Eventually the good news will come. It always does. 

Now I need to go finish watching the second season of Downton Abbey.