The Title is ______.

the elephant in the room

it's funny what people do to feel "normal", or how far they go to ignore giant issues. In relationships, it can seem easier to pretend the elephant does not exist. over the past few weeks i have had a few "normal" converstions that end up exhausting me. it feels like we work so hard to dance around and jump up and down to see and yell over the elephant without actually addressing it that we eventually get worn out and have to take a break. so we sit in the dust with our heads in our hands and gasp for air while that damn elephant casually chews grass and uproots trees. it is alive and strong. we, on the other hand, could probably use a few stiff drinks. sometimes i get really creative. in the words of my friend tony, it could be worse. "exactly!" i think. "i've been through worse. this should be no problem. this elephant won't beat me. i know all of it's tricks."...and with the grace of a circus performer i proceed to climb on to the elephant's back and triumphantly survey my surroundings. oh ho! i think to myself. i've got this under control because i am standing on top of it. i can see EVERYTHING and we can proceed with our ever-so-normal conversation. "HOW ARE YOU?" i yell. "OH FINE." he yells back. *elephant trumpets loudly* "YOU LOOK LIKE YOU'RE DOING WELL." he bellows. "OH ME? I'M AN OLD PRO." i bellow back. *elephant trumpets again, rears its head and stands up on its back two legs. i maintain my balance.* "BEAUTIFUL DAY, ISN'T IT?" I call out. "SURE IS." he calls back. *elephant runs in circles* "WELL, GREAT TO SEE YOU." he shouts. "YOU TOO. TAKE CARE." i shout back. *elephant swats at me with aforementioned uprooted tree.* we smile and wave frantically at each other while we retreat to replenish our energy. but don't worry. we'll have another go tomorrow. who knows, perhaps if we continue to steadfastly refuse to acknowledge the elephant, it will get bored and just walk away.

posted by k.o. @ 12:14 PM