Desperate Housewives is my FAVORITE television show. And, no, it’s not because I’m a desperate housewife!! I love the characters, and I relate most to Susan. Susan is emotional, reactionary, and a little ditzy, all qualities that can often be seen in my life. Edie is a desperate single woman who would steal anyone’s man and should have the mantra “all’s fair in love and war” tattooed on her forehead. (I have a feeling that I used to be an Edie before Rowland rescued me from myself!) Lynette has a gazillion kids (okay, I can relate to that part), but she is too level-headed, too analytical, and likes to have a career, none of which mirrors me. I wish that I could be Gabi. Yes, it definitely scares my husband when I say that! I love how conniving she is, how self-absorbed to the point of being humorous, how absolutely gorgeous she is, how she does those mean things that go through my mind but that I could NEVER do…. Then there’s Bree, the always put-together, perfectly OCD (obsessive compulsive), Ms. Make-Everything-Look-Okay-on-the-Outside NO MATTER WHAT!

While this show may seem like fluff to many people, there are actually lessons to be learned (besides how to bake a perfect pie, how to steal a man, how to beat up your husband when he’s down, etc., etc.). This week, poor Susan who is pregnant had an emotional moment - actually a couple of emotional moments. Bree, with all of her sympathy garnished into one beautiful basket, told Susan to JUST STOP CRYING. When Susan didn’t know how (often a problem of mine once I get going really well!), Bree explained her most unhealthy way of dealing with her own emotions. She simply pictures an empty box, pours all of the things that she doesn’t want to think about, those things that are upsetting to her, into that empty box. After placing the lid tightly on the box, she imagines placing the box on a shelf in a closet full of empty boxes. She then calmly closes the closet door securely and goes about her day. I’m pretty sure she was describing “stuffing her emotions,” but what a beautiful image!

My goal for each day now is to spend just a few minutes pulling out an empty box, pouring my frustration into it, putting the lid on tightly, and placing the box on a shelf in my imaginary closet. Hopefully, I’ve imagined a big enough closet!!!