‘Just say yes’ is oversimplified, but the concept is sound. Life is an adventure and in the long run, worth saying yes to. Look for the people who will take the journey with you. We are here. 🎨: https://t.co/QDgKhlKYJa ❤️💙💛 #SayYesToLife #KeepGoing #BeHereTomorrow #NotAlone pic.twitter.com/jBjGZwIXT9
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) April 26, 2022
if all the world and love were young
Today for the last Mario Monday of National Poetry Month, I have something special to share with you. I've just finished reading If All the World and Love Were Young, a collection by Irish poet Stephen Sexton. Sexton grew up playing Super Mario World, and finds himself revisiting the game as a way to cope with his mother's illness and then her death. Each poem has the title of a Super Mario World level, in order of progression from the beginning of the game through the end.
In the opening note of his book, he explains that the Super Nintendo (SNES) on which he played the game is a 16-bit console — that 16 bits is "how much memory the system can process at one time." He has hit upon such a precise metaphor for grief. So much of grieving is about memories, and there certainly is a limit to how much the griever can process at any given time. He reinforces this point by allowing himself exactly 16 syllables in each line of poetry. (If you've ever counted syllables to write a haiku, this effort is like that, but boss level.)
I have never played Super Mario World, but it was a game Rader really enjoyed. The original SNES version came out in 1990, but the game was rereleased for the Wii and Wii U virtual consoles. Rader likely discovered it when he was about 9, the same age as Stephen was.
I'll write a longer review for the foundation website, but for now I'll just say I deeply appreciate this book (it always seems weird to use the word "enjoy" when grief is involved).
you are such a light
Dominee from Self Love Rainbow runs a wonderful uplifting Facebook group called The Self-Care Circle.
so much poetry
looming optimism and pchh
I’m absolutely obsessed with the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast, never missing an episode. I even listen to the ones where they’re talking about some show I have no interest in and will never watch! “What’s Making Us Happy This Week” is a great segment on Fridays. If you listen, you’ll discover some things that make you happy, too.
Even though PCHH was mostly 'my’ podcast that I listened to by myself, I had a chance to take the kids to a live show in Chicago when we were there for Matt’s senior year of high school Spring Break, 2017. I’m glad it was something we got to do together.
start to walk, the way appears
1000 posts on instagram
This is a photo of Rader at one of the overlooks on Whiteside Mountain, a family-favorite hike.
reading is self care
I finished reading Stephanie Foo’s memoir, What My Bones Know, and it was great! I’ll post a book review soon.
original art from yoshinintendo
I love sharing about folks who make original Mario art. Yoshinintendo has great style!
haiku day duck mystery
Update: my bird-watching neighbor says she believes our swimmy duck is a pied-billed grebe. Sure looks like it!
choose this not that
Just because an idea is simple, logical, or self-explanatory doesn’t mean we’ll follow it. Choose to do more of what makes you feel good and less of what depletes you.
poem: the anatomy of peace
This is one of the best poems I’ve read. Hear poet John Roedel recite it below.
daily bunnies spark joy
Here’s the link to Rader’s dinosaur book.
suicidal thoughts workbook gets 5 stars
Book recommendation: Kathryn Gordon’s “The Suicidal Thoughts Workbook”
Gordon writes in the kindest and most approachable way. This self-help workbook includes worksheets and short practical exercises for building cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills to reduce emotional pain, increase hope, and prevent suicide.
Chapters are brief and divided into subsections so you can tackle just a little at a time, if that’s all you’re ready for.
My copy came with a HOPE sticker from art therapist and “maker of mental health things” Alyse Ruriani!
I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It’s suitable for someone struggling with thoughts of suicide, their concerned friends and family, and clinicians. (There are appendices specifically geared toward friends/family and clinicians.)
black jelly beans: 😍YES or 🤢NO?
Happy National Licorice Day! I know this is a divisive topic. I vote yes. How about you?
crack up with mario blooper videos
I’ll never know for sure what Rader would be doing now if he had survived. But when I see things like what I’m sharing today, sometimes feel like I get a glimpse through the veil. I know he would have enjoyed seeing these videos. I also think he might be making something similar. Here is Level UP’s YouTube channel.
celebrating sisterly love on siblings day
Oh, goodness, what a fun day it was! It’s always a good time when my sister and I get to see a show together, but this one was special. The entire plot of Frozen revolves around the power of sisterly love.
hidden brain: healing your heart
This one was retweeted by Hidden Brain! It’s always exciting for me to reach new people (more than 5,000!).
national (seed) library week!
credit: Greenville County Library System
It’s National Library Week! I checked my library’s calendar and found this pop-up seed library event! I picked out lettuce, radish, and bachelor buttons.
The county library system has been hosting these one-day pop-up events at branches for weeks, but the coolest part is that there’s a full-time seed library housed in an old card catalog cabinet at the Berea branch (at right)! I’ll have to make a special trip over there sometime.
National Library Week is a time to highlight the essential role libraries, librarians, and library staff play in transforming lives and strengthening communities.