♪ "La Di Da Di, We Gots t'Potty" ♫

"African-American Dad's" recent post, "FORGET RAPPERS, LET’S GO AFTER PUBLIC BATHROOM DESIGNERS!," reminded me of an experience from 10+ years, ago.

We were having a family reunion at a park in Pensacola, Florida and folks came in from across the country. This was one of those reunions where you find yourself meeting family members for the first time.

Well, my cousin was having a conversation with someone (probably one of the "new" family members) when her son said he needed to hit the park restroom. To give her a break, I stepped in and said I'd take him.

It wasn't until we got into the restroom that I thought to ask just how... involved I'd need to be in the process... and which "process" he had in-mind. Luckily, it was just a #1.

To avoid any unnecessarily awkward moments, I asked him, "Can you do it by yourself?"
"Uh-huh."

Cool!

Unfortunately, his business end wasn't high enough to reach the toilet, so, after dropping trow, he needed me to hold him in the air while he relieved himself. This took both of my hands, so it was a good thing he could handle the rest by himself, right? RIGHT?!

*sigh*

I held him up in the air and that boy started pissin' EVERYwhere.

"Aim it! Point it at the toilet!"

No dice.

I was NOT prepared to try to "aim" him in any way except using his entire body. We had limited success with that approach, but at least his clothing stayed dry.

I think I may have told him to "shake it"* before pulling up his clothes and beating feet outta there before someone found the mess.

So, yeah. I think "AAD" may be onto something.






* - For those that don't know (like a young mother I knew back when), males do/should "shake" their goodies, maybe even going so far as to squeeze it like a tube of toothpaste. Why? Well, have you ever finished using a garden hose, then picked it up only to have water unexpectedly pour or drizzle out of it and onto you? Okay, imagine that garden hose is a man-hose and imagine that water is piss. Better to make sure it's completely empty or you'll have the pissiest drawers in town.

The Presence of the Past

source: Dictionary.com

past /pæst, pɑst/ –adjective
1. gone by or elapsed in time: It was a bad time, but it's all past now.
2. of, having existed in, or having occurred during a time previous to the present; bygone: the past glories of the Incas.

In a recent episode of NPR's "Fresh Air," a Turkish author explained how the citizens and government of Turkey see the past as irrelevant, valueless, and unworthy or exploration - especially as it relates to the genocide of Armenians by Turkey. She and others have faced prison, and in at least one case, death, for even having acknowledged this historical event.

That's an incredibly ridiculous policy, as far as I'm concerned, but this case does raise the question of whether an individual or group sees the past as something worth exploration or best left behind.

Certainly, it's worth knowing where you've been to know where you're going - or where you don't WANT to go. However, there are often very painful elements of the past that involve suffering, death, and highly regrettable decisions.

Sometimes, our feelings about the past may change. We may enjoy nostalgic conversations with family members about painful moments of the past which have become amusing memories and stories for the present.

At other times, we may find ourselves hesitant to speak about fond memories of the past because they remind us of loved-ones, now lost. Or, there may be moments of pain from which we have moved on, so we fear revisiting them will serve no useful purpose and result only in renewed anguish.

What do you think?

Personally, I believe we are who we are because of the past - both the positive, perhaps especially, the painful elements. So, I think there's great value in taking the time to look back, exploring that which came before, for the purpose of ensuring a better present and future.

That said, I believe there's a certain balance we should seek in all things, including revisiting the past. Just as there's a difference between visiting a place and dwelling there, we should recognize the difference between revisiting the past and dwelling on it for too long.

Certainly, the ghosts of the past can grab us and hold tight, pulling us deeper into despair and depression, but the past also consists of benevolent spirits trying to help us to move forward with greater appreciation and purpose.

That's what I think. What about you?