The Dichotomy of Aunt Becky
On days like today, when I’ve woken to a flood of emails, texts, and The Twitter DM’s, all about someone who is desperate and suicidal, only to have to go find the post she’s written for Band Back Together, edit it (or have someone else do it), rearrange the schedule, then beg The Brains Behind The Band to help promote it.
(P.S. if you want to join the Brains Behind The Band, PLEASE email me at becky.harks@gmail.com)
This isn’t, Pranksters, anything new. In fact, this is pretty par for the course these days. Most of my days start and end like this.
In between dealing with the fall-out from the suicidal post, checking to see if we had any other posts that required OMG NAO publishing, it’s already 1:30 and I’m spent. Exhausted. Ready to crawl back into bed, hoping that I’ll be able to bring the funny back tomorrow. Because today, it ain’t happening.
It was with great glee that I watched the Social Network a couple of months ago. I had The Twitter on the ready, prepared to rip Zuckerberg a new pooper, when, right at the beginning of the movie, he said the words that forever won him a spot in my cold, dark heart. When asked what The Facebook would be, he replied, “I don’t know yet.”
That’s precisely what happened on Band Back Together. When I launched it last September, I honestly DIDN’T know what it would be. People asked me constantly what the site was about and I couldn’t give them anything but a canned answer. What it has become is so much more than I’d dreamed. I’m beyond proud. Beyond grateful. Beyond amazed. Beyond honored for all of the brave souls who have – and continue – shared their stories with us.
Everyone has a story.
I hope you share yours with us.
Because even on days like today, when my funny has been banished to the ALOT Island, when I’m frazzled and running around like a zombie chicken, I know that we’re making a difference.
That, Pranksters, is worth all the funny in the world.
Mostly.
P.S. Wasn’t kidding about the offer to join The Brains. Holler at me, please.
P.P.S. For my baby loss mamas, we’re doing a Wall of Remembrance on the site in addition to the one I do each year here. Here’s more information about that wall.
Oh, Aunt Becky, you are a lovely person. As are all of your Pranksters. (I’m not biased.) I’d absolutely love to help out with the Brains Behind the Band, if you’ll have me. Pleeeeeease!?
OF COURSE YOU CAN! Every day and twice on Sundays! Did you email me?
YES! Yes, I did. <3
Rock on Aunt Becky. Rock on.
I love you.
I’d like to second that. You’re fuckin awesome.
I hope you know that just like you promote “The Band” for helping people know they aren’t alone, neither are you. Your work has inspired and helped many… I know it doesn’t seem like much, but your days when you can’t find the funny, it’s probably because you lent it to someone else who needed it more. You’re good that way!
I have to remind myself that I am not alone sometimes. I’m used to pretending that I’m alone in the world. That’s why I need my Pranksters to remind me.
You’re the best Aunt Becky I ever had. We love you, even when the funny isn’t happening 🙂
Funny is overrated (total lie).
You just keep doing what you’re doing. Funny or no, you’re changing the world a little tiny bit at a time.
It’s all any of us can do. Work to make a better world. Thank you for the reminder.
The Band is an amazing thing, that YOU created. I’m so proud to be a small part of it!
I have to agree with all of the above comments; The Band is one of the most amazing communities I’ve ever come across, I only wish I had found it sooner! And you…YOU! are an amazing person for launching such a much-needed community where everyone can just BE. I can’t even imagine what your inbox looks like – it must be so overwhelming at times, but it’s a GOOD overwhelming, because you’re making a difference! I’d love to volunteer but am lithe to because I only discovered The Band recently, and have no idea what the job title would include. But, I have plenty of time on my hands, believe with every inch of my soul in what you’re doing, and am a fast learner! If that’s enough, then I’ll be emailing ya; just gimme the thumbs-up 😉 In any case, you have my undying loyalty and support
You are definitely not alone. Do you still need more people? I will email you too. Thank you. Take care.
Obviously you cannot remember your previous life as a drunken comedic zen masteress, whose standup’s were commonly complete silences from the heart as they moonwalked alone together on each side of the sea of tranquility — undeterred by the thunder of the one hand clappings or the fingers of scorn trying to point at themselves. Piece be with you and the rest will follow.