So, I was driving home from work on Monday, anticipating watching 507 on Wednesday, running speculations through my head, and feeling at ease with whatever I get from the show. I pulled into my driveway, thinking I would go in, kiss my wife, grab a cold beer and then sit down and read some blogs, in case I missed any new info while at work.
I went into my house, and any Arrow excitement I was feeling dried up. My wife was lying on the floor unconscious. Her right arm was twisted out of shape and I could see part of a bone sticking out, gleaming red with blood where it burst through her skin.
Multiple sclerosis is a motherfucker. I’m sorry, but I am in need of such strong words whenever the disease takes her and I to these ugly places. My wife is a gentle soul, kind and loving and beautiful. While she was attempting to cross our living room to use the loo, she lost her balance, something MS gives her, and face planted into our hardwood floors, knocking herself unconscious and compound fracturing her arm. I had no idea how long she was lying there, (later she told me about, maybe, 45 minutes.)
Arrow, speculations, excitement—anything that had to do with the show, became meaningless. After I took her to the ER, and I didn’t think to call an ambulance because fear and adrenalin was guiding my thought process, I sat waiting while the doctors tended to my soul mate. I started to think about perspective. I started thinking about how insignificant and sad it is how much negativity and anger and “oh my god, I can’t deal with Olicity’s demise” runs so rampant throughout the fandom. I know, it was an inappropriate emotion and not nearly as important as what my wife was going through in the next room, but I think I understand some people’s reaction to what is happening on the show a little bit better. Lack of perspective.
I am not an expert in human behavior or rationale. I don’t judge or think less of someone when their opinions and emotions are different then mine. But when I walk into my home and find my wife on the floor looking like she was run over by a car, I think that does give me a little more insight to what really is important in my life, and right now, I could care less if Oliver and Felicity get back together and discover a cure for cancer, or even MS.
Perspective, ladies and gentlemen.
Oh Gene, what a horrible thing to happen to your wife and to find her like that! I’m so sorry and hope she is recovering, but still the shock must be lingering for both of you.
And you’re right, perspective. People talk about Arrow and its writing choices like its some kind of personal vendetta against them and it’s the worst thing ever. I understand people have a right to their emotions, but honestly, if u can say that the break up of a fictional character is the worst thing ever, then you’re incredibly blessed and fortunate. That means you’ve had very little exposure to real pain and loss so far in life.
I lost a dear friend last week to melanoma which had gotten into his spine. I’d known him for 30 years. We all knocked about in a big group when we were single, I danced at his wedding, saw his 4 children christened, and now he’s dead, leaving that family behind. He wasn’t even 50. Outrage in a fandom feels very small in comparison to what I know his widow is going through right now.
Like you said, Gene, this isn’t about belittling other people’s feelings about Arrow, but it is about putting things into perspective. I’m praying for your wife to make a speedy recovery and for the strength for both of you to continue fighting through this terrible disease.
