Day 1 of "It's a Wonderful World" Retreat

What did you all do today?  I traveled to Australia and Europe, became royalty and dressed up in a silly, makeshift costume to be a contestant on Let’s Make a Deal.  And this has been just since 7 p.m.  Currently, I’m perched on my top bunk with my laptop, listening to my fellow 60 women campers run around chatting, laughing, playing practical jokes and just enjoying the “Wonderful World” (which is the theme of our retreat).

I love getting together with women.  Especially fun women.  Although this is a spiritual retreat, there has been lots of laughter.  And I do mean lots.  Just like there will be in Heaven.

In Australia, we discussed isolation (since it is an isolated continent).  We read the Scriptures about the woman who had bled for 12 years, and the implications of her condition.  Since an issue of blood made a person unclean back then, this woman had become a pariah.  She was shunned – unclean.  On the level with a piece of garbage.  Yet, she dared to touch the hem of the Lord’s garment.  Even knowing that her touch would make him unclean, and her life could possibly be forfeit.  Somehow, she believed that if she could just pull that off, she would be made whole.  And she was.  Jesus not only healed her, but he also LOVED her.  He made her clean and LOVABLE.  Isn’t that what he does for all of us sinners when we come to him for salvation?

In Europe, we got to become royalty, since there are kings, etc. there.  We discussed what changes we would make in our lives since we are now sovereign rulers.  All of the women at my table agreed that we would no longer do housework of any type.  Then we discussed the true King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and how this aspect of Christ is often forgotten.  Sometimes we just want to think of him as the Baby in the manger, or just as the one who saves us.  Not as someone worthy of our worship and praise. 

Then we had 5 minutes to come up with a costume from only items we’d brought with us.  I sported boxer shorts (brought for sleeping in), mismatched socks, flip flops, my bathrobe tied around my neck like a cape, and a ponytail a la Pebbles.  I didn’t manage to come up with any of the required items, however, so didn’t have a chance at winning an Oscar Meyer weiner whistle or any of the other cool prizes.  Sigh.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day! 

So now what??

I may be done watching House.  Okay, maybe not.  But I don’t think this tv show will continue to have the priority in my life that it has had for the past two years. 

I didn’t like the last episode.  In it, House’s love affair with Vicodin destroys everything he has accomplished; including his relationship with Cuddy.  I loved the prior episode, where he seemingly came to terms with the effects that he and Lisa being a couple was having on his professional life.  He chose HER, regardless of how his medical career was affected.  I thought that was beautiful, and so sweet.  I had been so proud of House, and all he had come through to kick his habit and become a better person.

I would probably be willing to give the show the benefit of the doubt, and assume that maybe by the next episode, House would be willing to do whatever it took, and Cuddy would take him back.  After all, they fight back and forth all the time.  However, I happened to read an interview with the guy who calls the shots in the series, creator and executive producer David Shore.  Shore stated that although the characters will always love each other, the romance is officially finished.  When asked if House was “back to square one” as far as his rehab was concerned, Shore answered in the affirmative. 

Geez - come on!  Yeah, I liked this show before they became a couple, and when House was still a pill popper.  But after seeing what he could become, I’m not sure I can go back to how it used to be.  Not to mention the fact that I’m a girl – I like happy endings. 

We watch tv or read books because we want to experience something beyond our daily lives.  Obviously, not every show, movie or book is going to be about characters who exist happily ever after under puffy white clouds and perpetual sunshine.  But I was loving being able to share House’s happiness (or at least as happy as he could get…), growth and victories.  I loved being a voyeur as his relationship progressed.  It was kind of an affirmation that if he could change, anything is possible.  So now that he can’t change… what??

Oh well, yes it’s only a tv show.  And fortunately, my own life doesn’t hinge on what Dr. House does or doesn’t do.   

Still…