Things in my life get out of hand quickly.
Mostly because I overreact almost instantaneously in almost every situation.
Sigh.
Do you mind if I drink while I tell you this story?
It’s 12am, and I usually wait until 10:30am to drink, because that’s when McDonald’s stops serving breakfast, so that pretty much makes it like midday/early evening by my calculations.
So, I was going to tell you this story about my mom, and how she went behind my back, and my hatred of rodents, and distaste to add anything else to my household that requires nourishment of any sort, and she bought the boys miniature guinea pigs.
And, I threw the biggest fit ever. Lots of swearing and throwing my hands about.
It was the battle of all guinea pig battles, and it was fucking epic.
And also, obviously, totally rational in proportion to real life issues.
Only, it wasn’t.
Because real life showed up today and punched me in my guinea pig hating balls.
My Anissa.
Who I spooned with, and rubbed boobs with, and drank with, and cried with, and texted funny ideas with at 3am.
Our Anissa.
Who brought amazing people together, who lead us and took care of us.
She is one of my best friends. She would do anything for me, and damn near has.
She had a stroke today, and as she lays in ICU, and I am sitting here, collecting information, and wanting more than anything for her only concern to be about these fucking guinea pigs, and their god damned squeaking, but real life is like, fuck the guinea pigs, Brittany.
They smell, and they have claws, and I’m pretty sure they don’t blink.
But, the reality is, that hollow cave in my chest, that ache in my heart, it’s not for trivial things like guinea pigs.
It’s for friends.
Because self portraits never NOT turn out awesome.
_________
Click here to learn about how to help Anissa and her family.
{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Sending so much love.
beautiful, Britt. Thank you for expressing how many of us feel.
Oh, sweetheart, this hurts my heart for you. Sending my thoughts and prayers your way and the way of your friend.
::hugs:: I’m sending prayers and happy thoughts her way.
As I tweeted earlier, I am putting you all in charge of the government. You mobilize so fast, wars could be solved in minutes. Praying for Anissa!
Thoughts and prayers for Anissa and all of her family and her family of friends.
I can’t believe it! Christ I wish I was closer! Now who will drive by text me in the middle of the night?!
Oh, B. You said it in only a way YOU can.
Love you, Niss. Get well soon.
xoxo
Sorry Foodie. I’ll pray for your friend Anissa and her family tonight… and for guinea pig blinks too.
It’s just so utterly devastating.
I’m thinking of Anissa and sending lots of prayers. Take care of yourself too, sweetie.
Sending you and Anissa and her family all sorts of love.
Sending prayers for everyone.
Anissa and her family will be in my prayers…and so will you b/c I had guinea pigs for years…totally annoying.
sending thoughts to you and all her closest friends and loved ones… and plenty of thoughts and prayers her way. this was beautiful (and made me want to add sumthin to my coffee).
*HUGS*
Britt,
So sorry to hear this. Sending lots of good thoughts southward.
Linked… sending much love your way.
Love.
Puts your struggles in persepctive! Thoughts and prayers going out to Anissa and her family!
I don’t even know your beautiful friend but I’m pulling for her! You are a great friend and I know she appreciates all your support!
hang in there… all of you!
Best Title ever. And maybe we should sacrifice the guinea pigs for Anissa? Two birds with one stone, she’ll be totally cool with it.
Thinking of you all so much. Anissa is just a magical soul and will pull through this with flying colors.
Britty B ~
Sending you & Anissa many, many hugs & prayers.
XOXO
I am so sorry. I had heard of this and am going to go check out what I can do.
praying…
Praying.
Oh dear. This wasn’t what I was expecting today. I am so, so sorry about your friend. Please know I’m thinking of you both and am heading over to that page now.
I’ve been thinking of Anissa, she is strong, she WILL get through this. I’ve been thinking of her family. My heart aches for them. I am also thinking of her “girls”. You are her tribe and I know she will pull through for you as well. She has to.
much love to all you girls.
I have not yet had the opportunity to meet Anissa, although I love reading her blog and following her tweets. I have exchanged a few messages with her, and I can totally see what everyone finds amazing about her. What she is going through right now is 100% horrible and wrong, and I hope and pray for her to get better. Especially for her beautiful, beautiful children…
Sending prayers!
Wanna hear something crazy? Last night, right before I heard about Anissa on Twitter, my cat had a stroke. I know. It’s a cat. I’m not superstitious and I’m not even friends with Anissa (though I love her words and feel deeply for her family) but I was still like, “whoa.” Crazy shit right?
It’s pretty impressive that over the course of one day, Anissa’s condition has generated over 200 separate blogposts written by people who’s lives she’s touched. It’s certainly a testament to her strength, humor, and awesomeness.
I’m thinking of Anissa, her kids, her husband, and all the Aiming Low gals. In the words of NKOTB: hang tough.
Ugh. I had just written a post complaining about all the not-so-important things gone haywire in my life…Your post put it in perspective. Anissa is in my thoughts. Thank you.
Oh no! That is awful. A stroke? She seems too young. I will be thinking of Anissa and sending positive thoughts.
This choked me up – I am praying….
Count momdot in to help. We are doing a matching up to $100 on to encourage donations.
http://www.momdot.com/anissamayhew
I have had 2 people I know have massive strokes. Both are fine today. I know anissa will be too.
Love you brit.
trisha
Are you fucking kidding me? I love her blog, she is so young and so funny. I am damn sorry to hear that, will be thinking of her and her family today
My family will keep the family in our thoughts and prayers.
I am so sorry. I will pray for her.
This is beautiful.
I barely barely met Anissa in Boston, but she’s one of those people you meet and love. Even Chris, who forgets to put on his own pants, remembers meeting her.
Love to you. Love and prayers to Anissa and her family.
I’m so thankful for her bringing awesomeness together!
Fuck the guinea pigs, yo!
LOVElove.
How is it you bring me to tears??? HOW. Dadgum you, Britt. I love you.
and I can’t tell you how much I love and adore that you titled this “Oh Captain, My Captain” I love. perfection, beyond perfection.
Praying for Anissa.
Can’t believe that only a few weeks ago she was here in NYC making us all laugh. Reality is a biatch!
She needs to get better. now dammit.
Wishing her the best, and a speedy recovery. My mom was an ICU nurse – she’ll have the best care there is.
So sorry to hear about Anissa… sending prayers
I’m having a horrible time with this. I met Anissa the same night I met you, just a few weeks ago at the AimingLow roadtrip to Boston. It was a terrific time, and Anissa was even better and more wonderful in person than online (and that’s saying something). I don’t even have words for how frightening this whole thing is, and I feel even worse that all we can do is pray our brains out.
I NEED Anissa to get better, dammit. (I do feel really badly that I missed the Anissa-Brittany rubbing boobs spectacle, but it’s probably best that I don’t get into that further…)
I have faith that your Captain will return to you soon fighting harder and with the strength of the Incredible Hulk!
Anissa has some wonderful friends, just from reading your comments here I can see she must be very special. I’ll say a prayer too. And bless you for sharing her with those of us who don’t know her. Be well, be kind to gunea pigs – they scare the crap out of me.
I don’t know Anissa but I am happy to help out a blogger who has brought so much happiness to so many. Look forward to meeting you at Blog It Forward!
{ 2 trackbacks }