How many of you remember this scene from M*A*S*H? It is a classic. The character in the center intends to commit suicide because he has suffered his first ever case of erectile dysfunction. The song, "Suicide is Painless" has been called "the stupidest song ever written". Although Robert Altman made only $70,000 for directing M*A*S*H, his son made $1,000,000 for having co-written the song.
Why do I bring up this song?
Recently, I was in a Zoom meeting with some friends, and I start reciting the lyrics to this song. Unfortunately, I touched a raw nerve with one of these friends, as I did not know that her mom had committed suicide. The other friends on the Zoom meeting understood where I was going, and didn't pay it much mind. But I knew that I touched a third rail with this friend.
One of the things I learned years ago from watching George Carlin in Peekskill was that a good comedian's banter may offend some people unintentionally. I had done just that in my Zoom meeting. Although I was able to recover and apologize, I now know this person's sore point from which she has never recovered. Given the other things I know about her, I can understand how she has lived her life without falling in love with (or being loved by) someone nice.
As much as I can bitch and moan about things, I can still consider myself lucky. Both of my parents died of "typical" causes (Mom from heart disease, and Dad from the Coronavirus), and not "unnatural" causes (such as a car accident or suicide). My wife died of cancer. Had she lived, I don't know if I could have taken the chance on going out in this world as Marian.
