Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Charlie Brown and the Football


If you grew up in the 70's, you probably watched a few Peanuts cartoons. Remember those scenes with Lucy, Charlie Brown and the football? It always started with Lucy telling Charlie Brown that she'd hold the football, while Charlie Brown kicked. Of course Charlie was always skeptical, as Lucy time and time again had pulled that football away just before the moment of impact. But sure enough, old Charlie would fall for it again, and end up flat on his back.

Why did Charlie Brown keep trying to kick the football every time? Why did he trust a girl who hurt him over and over?

Maybe it's because Charlie Brown was an optomist, and believed there was some goodness in everyone. If he only showed faith, that person would come through.

Or maybe Charlie Brown was just so genuine a person that he couldn't believe anyone would lie to him, especially when he expressed his doubts. Lucy would assure him every time that she was not going to pull the football away, and Charlie kept believing her.

Maybe Charlie was just such a pathetic looser that he had no choice but to try and kick the ball. Maybe it's the only interaction he could get with Lucy. Maybe he was a glutton for punishment. He knew he might as well get it over with and take his humiliation, and pain.

For whatever reason the Charlie Brown's of the world, including me, keep running full force, with foolish optimism, thinking each time it will be different. The hurt won't happen this time. This time I'm going to kick that ball poised before me into the air, and feel good about myself.

But each time, I land flat on my back, staring at the sky, and wondering what happened.

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