Blog 3136 – 06.01.2024

Coping Mechanisms

How we learn to deal with the difficulty, disappointment, and pain that life often presents is important to our overall health and well-being. In the conclusion of the popular The Big Bang Theory prequel Young Sheldon, Sheldon and his twin sister Missy, their older brother Georgie, there mom and Mee Maw all cope with the death of George Senior differently.

Sheldon in reliving the last time he saw his dad alive over and over again fantasizes how he might have shown more love toward his dad. He begins calling on a scene from the death of his hero Star Trek’s Mr. Spock and instead of saying nothing to his dad in that last moment says, “Wait dad, I have always and will always be your friend.” From there he runs through several other things he might have said like, “Wait dad, I love you” or “Wait dad, can I ride with you.” He ends these fantasies with tender remarks made in eulogy at his father’s funeral. Sadly these remarks too were never made at the time only years later as he relives those moments.

Missy and her mom both deal with the death of dad and husband George in a similar way, Missy by lashing out, and Mom by being angry at George for leaving her as if he had some choice in the matter. That is how my mom first dealt with the death of my father. She had spent forty-seven years of her life blaming him for her unhappiness and so blaming him for leaving her was a familiar coping mechanism for her.

Georgie, the older brother, tries to cope with the loss of his dad by stepping up and trying to take care of the many things that his dad always had. That is a coping method many of us use throughout our lives, asking ourselves what would dad, mom, Jesus, or Mr. Spock do and trying to do that.

Mee Maw resorts to one of her favorite coping mechanism, booze. Before you criticize her too harshly remembered the Bible says that strong drink is for the sorrowful and those in pain.

What is your go too coping mechanism when life throws its worst at you? I am mindful of a Bible promise that God will not lay on us more than we can bear, but will always provide a way out or through our troubles. Often like Sheldon we are not aware of it at the time, but only see it in hindsight after the storm has passed.

In today’s picture quote above are several suggested coping skills that might work better than wishful thinking, questioning, blaming, and boozing. Always good to have a Plan B just in case.

Your friend and fellow traveler,

David White