Go Be Pearl

I don't watch a lot of TV. Since the writer's strike last year, I've quit watching most of my must see shows. They all lost me. Some have gone over the top. Some, just completely lost my interest. I spend the evenings reading or occasionally watching a documentary. I still love my Netflix subscription and anything that we do actually watch, we've usually recorded on TiVo, so we skip all the commercials. That in itself gives you so much more time to pursue other things. An hour show can be watched in 40 minutes.



Amazing what we moms can accomplish in 20 minutes right?



We stumbled upon the documentary A Man Named Pearl quite by accident. It was probably one of the best documentaries I've seen in ages. Such amazing wisdom from such a quiet, peaceful man. You must watch it if you can.



One of the things that struck me and struck a chord in our marriage was an interview with his wife. My memory is foggy, so forgive me if I get this wrong, but I believe that she was asked if she resents the time that Pearl spends in his garden. And she simply replied, that he just needed to go be Pearl.



I'm often not so generous with my husband and this was a light bulb moment for me. My husband works long hours. He often leaves the house before six and returns after seven in the evening. He's really good at what he does and he provides well for our family. All day at work, he is pulled in many directions. When he comes home, I sometimes pull him in many directions. I want his attention, him to be a handyman, him to be there for me, for us. It's not often that he gets to go be himself.



We laughed at the interview with Pearl's wife and we decided that "Go Be Pearl" would be our new code for just needing alone time. Me time. D needs it more than I do, I can be sure of that. He loves to ride his bike. I used to laugh at his need to "Lance it up", but now I know it's good for him and because of that, he's better for us when he gets to ride a few miles a day.



Go Be Pearl and let your spouse go as well. Sometimes, these little reminders come fast and furious. This documentary knocked my socks off. You'll be amazed too, I'm very sure.