The Week We Worried by Liz Flaherty

It was an idea. I got it when I was lying in bed sometime between midnight and four in the morning worrying about my kids and grandkids, my brother and my sisters-in-law, my husband, climate change, politics, aging, health, my energy level...did I mention my grandkids?

I thought, in the midst of this, when I'd turned over three or four times, squinted at the clock, and sighed with a depth that should have shaken the bed, that it would be a funny blog post. In the light of day, after all, I seldom worry. At least, I don't worry all the time. Usually.  

I wondered what other people worry about--are they as all over the place as me? So, since this is the 2020s, I did research in the most up-to-date and professional way. I asked on Facebook, expecting to get responses from a dozen or so friends. 

As of this morning, Friday, the dozen I expected was four dozen instead, and what I expected to be a probably-funny post isn't funny at all. 

About half of us worry specifically about family, with three more worrying about sick friends and family. Personal health is a concern

Money issues are things, I think, that keep people awake. A few worry about how they will pay their bills, about getting enough work hours, about being fiscally safe. 

Parents worry about their kids' health, their businesses, their finances, that they are or will be bullied, whether they are happy. Mothers of daughters worry about their girls' rights being taken away.

Photo by Skyler Wilson

People worry about cancer and the catastrophic effects it brings to its victims and their families and friends.

My niece worries about her parents. My daughter worries about her students being okay during the summer. A friend worries--and now I do, too, Leah!--about a general lack of curiosity. Another friend, a teacher, worries about how her decisions will affect those she cares about. Yet another teacher worries that she can protect her students from gun violence.

At least two worry about things that are beyond their control, that they can't do anything about. 

Valerie worries about the blights that taint society as a whole: "Addiction, racism, corruption, injustice, global warming, brutality, greed."

In line with that, several are concerned about the world we're leaving for the next generation, but the worries are diverse. Several of us are worried about the planet itself. Charley worries that "You have to watch what you say or you could be charged with a hate crime." On the other side of that, many worry about society becoming desensitized to hate. Joe worries about the "wokes"--others worry about the ones who are not. 

Some of us worry about guns. Helen worries about how dead batteries are recycled and I do, too, now (the planet again.) Vicci worries about the "disposable society" we have become, with concern for human life being at the top of the list. 

We worry about losing loved ones. About our spouses if we die first. About ourselves if our spouses go on without us. 

Brenda worries that she's not doing enough for the Lord. Another friend worries because her kids don't attend church. Many of us worry about our churches as we become increasingly divided in how we practice our faith.  

Two friends say they worry about nothing. In a way, I envy that, but in another, I still feel as if worrying is part of my job on earth.

There were more on the list, although I've covered most of them here. Debby Myers said, "All of the above."

I looked for a quote to put with this post, and all of the ones I found indicated that worrying is pretty much a waste of time. I don't believe that. As I said above, I believe it's part of my job as a mom, a Nana, a wife, and a human being. While I'm a believer in "let go and let God," I think He doesn't mind my helping. 

I've gone on longer than I intended. The Window hasn't been funny. It hasn't solved any problems. However, it has reminded me that although as human beings we are very different, we are also very alike. It's also reminded me to pay attention to what's going on around me, to care about what is in the hearts of others.

Have a good week. Worry if you need to, and listen to someone else's worries if they need to share them. Be nice to somebody.