I actually do have a little detachment from sentimental things like that, but still - it was a good friend who sent it, and we all could use a little positive affirmation from time to time

… and it did make me think of that Mr. Rogers’ song
… and if that’s kind of funny in itself, it’s still true that the song made me cry when I was little
… and I actually would watch a show like that, and think it would be beneficial (even, and maybe especially, with puppets)
… and I actually think things might be different if someone had been saying things like that to the children who then became the grownups who now navigate the world in fear and paranoia instead of caring and love
… and actually - oh dear…

The last bit, you see, was meant to be a bit humorous. Cognitive dissonance? Grok? You dig? Get me?

I mean, just consider the sheer unlikelihood and ridiculousness of the idea that the key players of the Bush administration would do any such thing as to get the kind of soul guidance/therapy they seem to need. Ain’t gonna happen.

Then there is the dramatic irony: that the whole positivity thing comes crashing down simply by invoking the thought of this administration. Which it did. Unfortunately this happens to me a lot in recent times - it’s hard to keep a good mood going these days.

But I still thought the sudden collapse of the positivity was funny, in that odd way that’s hard to explain.

Or maybe your message actually means that you got the punchline? It’s such a vague kind of comment, I can’t tell.

Am I saying too much? Did I write that out loud?

(offstage) …you are the only one like you, like you, my friend - you’re special to me.