July 21st, 2011 – A
Text Message Conversation with Samantha
“sam: did i tell you i
started crying the other night because i thought andrew ran over a frog?
i was so upset
me: I'm writing a book about
you.
sam: uhm.
what?
me: Just giving you a
heads up. ^^
sam: why
i mean, im flattered?
im confused too, though.
me: Because I love you
and you're amazing.
I was talking with someone about
writing and that I was having trouble getting started.
He just said, "Write what you
love."
sam: i miss y ou
me: So I started
Fukong: The Tragic Life of Samantha Cleland
Don't worry, it's not tragic.
sam: i just had
a nightmare like, an hour ago you that you didn't want to be my sister anymore
me: I miss you too.
You're so weird.
sam: i know.
me: That shit's going in the book, by the
way.”
So, my dreams of publishing a book started to wan when I began researching just what it would take to get legitimately published. Instead of a book, I decided to simplify. A blog! I can be a blogger, right? I can make this happen.
Anyway, my sister is a brilliant individual. She is funny, creative and engaging
in her own way. So why is her life tragic? She has the worst luck of anyone I
have ever met. Not only does she have terrible luck, but she’s a wonderful
storyteller. Every flat tire or mundane day is an epic tale of adventure, mystery
and tragedy. She makes the miniscule magical.
This story isn’t entirely about the craziness of her life, though. As a
bystander, I’ve been able to see and embrace a myriad of elements about
Samantha. How she deals with situations is some of the most interesting social
dissections I’ve been able to personally experience. Whenever a new story comes
up or a new Facebook post of “My cat just ate a $600 snake. Fuck my life,” our
group of friends all smile and share a giggle… because these types of things
only happen to Sam.
The pages that follow may not be entirely true to life. Some stories
have been told so many times that they have changed over the years into amoebas
of fiction. But to every bit of fiction there is always a bit of truth. That’s
something Samantha has always embraced.
There have been times that I have looked at my sister after one of her
comical stories and said flatly, “Samantha Leigh Cleland, that is a bunch of
bullshit.” And she just giggles and replies with, “No, really!”
I want to tell the stories of my sister’s life the way she would tell
them, but it also involves portions of my life as well. Of course, this is from
my recollection so like mentioned earlier even in this retelling the facts may
not all be there, but the spirit of the story remains intact. I can already
hear the protests of my family in my head, “That’s not how it happened!” To me,
these stories have made me who I am in the way I remember them. If they want to tell it the way they remember,
they can write their own blog!
So, here’s to you, Sam. May your days continue to be filled with
fantastical and whimsy adventures. I look forward to every new story you will
tell me between giggles and mock exasperation in the future and I hope you don't murder me for sharing with the world all the dumb little moments in our lives.
