Alfred E. Newman
I have a friend at church that for years has referred to me as Alfred E. Newman, the face of ‘Mad Magazine’. Back when we were both kids, ‘Mad Magazine’ was a half satire, half comic book type magazine aimed at teenagers. My friend calls me Alfred E. Newman not because I look like Mr. Newman, but because of his infamous motto: “What, Me worry?”
Anxious, Worry, Concern, Fret – As humans, faced with the daily tasks of life, add in the news of the world around us, and then throw in a personal tragedy or 2; how can you not worry?
We all know people who worry. What’s going to happen today? Tomorrow? This year? To my children? To my parents? To the town? To the country? Some people just worry about everything; What if I get a flat tire? What if I forget something? Some even worry that they worry too much!
My mom was a worrier as was her mom. Fortunately for me, I didn’t inherit the worry gene. For me, all I can figure is that my brain must be wired differently. I see those things I have no control over and somehow . . . . . Just let them go. It doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings; Fear, Grief, Happiness, are all emotional states of mind that we share, but not part of the process of worrying about things you can’t control.
Fast forward to today as my title as ‘Alfred E Newman’ may be in jeopardy. My wife, the one I am most dedicated to, faces 7 weeks of intense treatment, then multiple weeks of recovery, followed by months of rehabilitation. Knowing the future for her holds periods of time where she won’t or can’t eat, her body will revolt, her attitude will become melancholy, and her patience for me will be limited.
But I still gain nothing by worrying. Worrying distracts me from the tasks at hand: Giving her the moral support she needs; providing her the physical comfort she needs; making sure she has the nutrition her body needs to tolerate the treatments; and sharing in the spiritual wellbeing that will help her mentally fight the fight ahead.
‘What, Me Worry?’ Not at this point.
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Matthew 6:25-34
4 thoughts on “Alfred E. Newman”
A good philosophy for all of us. Thanks for the reminder.
Suzanne and John, we pray for you everyday. From experience we know that you are in the best place and with the best people. We will continue praying for you and John.
Stay strong 💪
Thank you for your daily thoughts and passages. We look forward to each days message.
Stay strong 💪
Ben and Trudie Imhauser
I have enjoyed reading John’s daily writings. Being updated helps me to know specifically what to pray for! Strength for Suzanne and patience for John……those are the two that pop in my head tonight.
Stay strong and dedicated to each other!!
Worry is something that comes easy to me, not a good thing. I choose to pray for you both today, knowing God hears every prayer. Cancer is such an ugly word but Faith is a beautiful word that will sustain you through this difficult time.