“A Mr. Richard Feder from Fort Lee, New Jersey, writes in and says, ‘Dear Rosanne Roseannadanna…’” This is how each Roseanne Roseannadanna sketch began on the Weekend Update news segment on Saturday Night Live. Roseanne Roseannadanna was a commentator responding to life’s puzzling situations as presented to her by her Fort Lee follower. As her bit concluded she would say, “It just goes to show you, it’s always something.”
The comedian and actress who brought Roseanne Roseannadanna to life was Gilda Radner. Radner could easily imagine a long, brilliant career for herself but life had other plans. At age 39 she was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer. Suddenly, she was fighting to lengthen and strengthen her life. She passed away three years later at age 42.
In the midst of her struggle, Radner authored, It’s Always Something. In it she shares this wisdom: “Don’t look for perfect endings but allow not knowing to lead you to a deeper appreciation of life, so that you get your joy back on the way to an outcome that remains yet to be revealed. Embrace and find joy in the delicious ambiguity of life.”
I encountered this quote not by reading her book but through the Centering Space program, Reflective Prayer. I am grateful to prayer leader, Dean Presson, for including this passage in his program that was titled, “The Joy of Living in the Present Moment”. Little did I know that these words would carry me through the next week when my only goal was not to unspool due to an unforeseen crisis. I am happy to report that I did not!
Radner’s words remind me that I can greet each moment with curiosity and hope. Life’s challenges will persist; like Roseanne Roseannadanna says, “it’s always something.” But I need not fear them. I can accept all difficulties as opportunities to grow in love for my odd and wonderful life.
