I was only six years old when Doris Day recorded the hit Que Sera Sera, but I remember it as well as I remember any song from the soundtrack of my life. The sappy melody and pedestrian lyrics became a staple of post-WWII pablum, right there with Mom and apple pie and Chevy sedans. And Spam. In the late 60s, it was the signature song for The Doris Day Show, and I can still see Doris and her guests at the end of the show, swaying from side to side as they sang, with many tears in the corners of people's eyes. And all of America was watching.
"What will be will be." I guess today's version is "It is what it is." As dismissive as these adages (if one could call them that) are, they do have some wisdom to impart. We are a nation of control freaks, so "letting go" is a skill that we have to be reminded of again and again. Yes, The Beatles got our attention with Let It Be, but our short-term memories quickly forgot their words of wisdom.
I don't know why the Que Sera Sera song popped in my head today. (And I do apologize if it is now in yours.) I mean, it certainly is not on my iPod. My guess is that after riding the emotional roller coaster I've been on regarding my cat, I have given myself over to the fates. I have done what I can do, I have arranged loving care for my cat in hopes of keeping her alive during my absence, and tomorrow morning, I will be leaving on a jet plane. I will be away less than a week, and if Cassie survives while I am away, on my return I will devote myself, again, to loving her while her body figures out what it intends to do. Or not do. Que sera sera.
So there is some peace there. Some acceptance. It's all out of my control now. Do I need to explain how liberating that is? Think of control and what words come to mind? Frustration, determination, attention, inflexibility, certainty, close-mindedness, power, retribution. Now think of letting go. Relaxation, freedom, open-mindedness, acceptance, lightness, peace. Que sera sera.
The future's not ours to see. Duh.
No comments:
Post a Comment