Thursday, June 28, 2012

how are you?

 Awesome idea to make a cotton candy s'more, no?


There was a point in college when I realized that when people asked me how I was...they weren't really asking.  It was like hello and goodbye. I didn't like that. And so from then on whenever I asked how a person was doing, I wanted them to tell me how they really were and I wanted to listen.  If you are good--tell me!  If you are not good--tell me!  Just TELL me.  Be honest and real and let me know because I'm asking. 

And so I pose the question...

HOW ARE YOU?

No holding back.  I will respond...and I really want to know. 

 If you are uncomfortable-rather than comment-email me at carriestroud (at) gmail (dot) com.

9 comments:

Meggan said...

I'm bored. I know, a 27 year old woman of 3 insane kids should not be bored. But I am. We leave for vacation in 3 days, are packing up our house to move and the weather has been crap. So instead of packing or...packing, I have been wasting my life on the computer and eating bowls(yes bowls) of cereal. And trying not to kill kids that have picked up lying, or continue to climb anything with a centimeters worth of a finger hold, or who decide that now is the time to be a constant whiner. I have checked myself out of here and now find myself "bored". How's that? :)

Anonymous said...

Many ask how I’m doing as [my husband] is deployed at the moment. I tell them I'm good most days, but some days are harder than others. I’ll admit that these past months have been very lonely for me on multiple levels. I try to keep busy, but loneliness seems to always be around me, even when others are nearby and supporting me. How odd is that?

I know one part of my loneliness stems from my husband not being here. This has been a major thing I’m dealing with, and it’s hard to explain what exactly I’m thinking/feeling to people who have not been in a similar situation. So I guess I also feel lonely while trying to relate to others. Some people just don’t get what it’s like to have a slight panic attack when you hear that knock on the front door when you are not expecting anyone. Or get what it’s like to worry that you will not hear your loved one say, “I love you” anymore in this life if that loved one gives the ultimate sacrifice. Or how hard it is to sleep alone and keep things going at home, all the while your loved one has to deal with groups of people shooting at him or her on a daily basis. I’m not trying to convey that my hardships are harder than others. Indeed, we all have things we need to work through. All I’m saying is that it’s sometimes hard to relate to other people, and I feel alone because of it.

While the above is the more “negative” of how I’m feeling, the lighter side of my current situation is that I have more of an appreciation of things now. I appreciate and love my husband more than I ever have, and I love and appreciate my Heavenly Father for protecting my husband despite all the things my husband has to deal with. I don’t think I could make it through this deployment without God’s help. Sometimes my faith is strong one day and weak the next. But despite it all, He’s there. I know this now, and am a better woman and wife because of it.

So despite my feeling lonely at times, I’m honestly doing okay as I am learning to rely on a gracious loving God to take care of everything I love and hold dear.

-Abby (sister)

Bridget said...

Tired. And my eye is bugging out a little. So I think I'll go to bed. Thanks for asking. :o)

Charlotte said...

I always answer honestly when someone asks me. I don't go on in detail, but I've been known to answer "tired" or "busy"

Right now I am frustrated. I am trying to get my printer to work with my laptop as the kids somehow virused up the computer. I need a form printed by the morning and it isn't working!!

likeschocolate said...

Thanks for asking! Ready to go home. We have been in Europe for two months and while it has been great on many levels I am tired, miss my house, and just want to go home. I know most people would give anything to be in Europe, but I am done. 3 weeks to go and I can hit the gym, have a minute to myself, and live in a space larger than a shoe box. Missing home!

Mary Seals said...

Feeling slightly sickened by the picture of cotton candy s'mores to be perfectly honest. . .

heather said...

I'm about 80/20 with the "good" reply vs. the real, true answer. Generally I am good, but if they ask me at the right moment it is possible they'll get a different reply. I know when I ask this question I want the real answer.

Right now I'm feeling tired and grateful.

Susan Anderson said...

Mostly good with some serious anxiety thrown into the mix. All of a sudden I'm going to have twice as much husband and half as much money.

Hopefully, that's a GOOD thing!

But I expect there will be some growing pains...

"/

Lisa S said...

I'm the current Relief society President in my ward...need I say more?

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