Sentimentality Control

It's true what they say: control your emotions or they'll control you.

I went back home for a few days to recharge and get my head on straight. “Home” is in Washington State - a good 2,000 miles by car, or a quick 5.5 hour flight. I chose the latter.

It’s seriously difficult not to talk about The Situation and whether it’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever endured, or the dumbest. I go back and forth, honestly, but the temptation to indulge in that good olde time ennui is strong, so I won’t. Once you get ennui on you, it never comes out.

I’ve always been a sentimental lad. Don’t know why, and I’m of an age where I’m less concerned about the why and more about what’s right in front of me. Besides, the whole going-home schtick is also getting old. (Evidently I’m really feeling my age tonight…) I remember coming home from college and feeling sentimental about visiting even though I was doing it every weekend. When I went to college farther away, homecoming trips meant a lot more. And when friction between my wife and family stretched the homecoming intervals to YEARS, it meant a hell of a lot.

This trip had the potential to be another “sentimental journey.” I wanted to avoid that because, well, I’ve learned a few things in these last few years of struggle. One of the most incandescently true things is that a man either rules his emotions, or they rule him. I’m sick of being ruled by them, so, I didn’t let that happen on this trip.