Sincere or Spew?

"Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere. He's gotta pick this one. He's got to. I don't see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one. You can look around and there's not a sign of hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see." - Linus Van Pelt

Have you ever known sincerity? By definition:

sin·cer·i·ty   [sin-ser-i-tee]
noun, plural -ties.
freedom from deceit, hypocrisy, or duplicity; probity in intention or in communicating; earnestness. (aka.. "the real deal!")

I have been struggling lately with those that claim "sincerity", vs. those that just..

spew:
verb (used without object)
1.
to discharge the contents of the stomach through the mouth; vomit.
verb (used with object)
2.
to eject from the stomach through the mouth; vomit.
3.
to cast forth, gush, or eject, as in disgust or anger: The angry sergeant spewed his charges at us.

Sometimes it is difficult to see between the two defined terms! I know, I know... you can make the case that one should easily be ready to detect true sincerity, vs. ... well... BS... but alas, usually a wound or hurtful experience will be the only way you can truly know!

Today We watched , "The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown", as a treat for a long and tedious day of church, assembly, church, and more church... I felt I need to offer a reward for task-on time today. Ya know,I have watched this movie so many times in my lifetime i can recite most of the dialogue, pick up most of the innuendo, and learn more historically each time I view. (I will say this.. I NEVER laugh less
...so it must be good!)

I have actually blogged about this particular movie in previous years... and continue to find myself back there examining issues of sincerity and loyalty spew and BS
... and at what and whose expense!??

In times past, I have commented over the build-up... Lucy's ability to "fool" Charlie Brown ONE more time with the shameless football track, or maybe that Charlie Brown is really considered "bullied" in today modern view of school society and feel badly for him... And perhaps one is co-dependent with the other... But it still strikes me OVER and OVER again as to Sally's Niavity and steadfast loyalty to Linus sitting in that pumpkin patch... Missing her "Tricks or Treats"... and waiting... waiting... and waiting for that "stupid" Great Pumpkin to show!!!! (It actually infuriates me!)

This school year, (as is the case with most 5s), the romantic "Love bug" is present in my classroom! (Im beginning to think it a spider rather than a ladybug!) We have various pairings, (all age appropriate mind you.. whose marrying whom, who's going to make it together for the school year.. a lifetime!!!)

I wish I could impart my real feelilngs - truly- on this... but ah.. innocence!

There is one significant "pairing" tho this year in our class. (And yes... one of the members is VERY close to me...:( (And a very "Sally-like" counterpart!!!!) He would be willing to wait all night in the patch for the "Great Pumpkin"... and she would wait to show her "Loyalty".

I had them watch this film today- I wanted to shout out... "See... THIS is what happens to little girls who spend their lives waiting in someone else's pumpkin patch all night!!!!"

But alas- I could not...What would that do?? Shatter their illusion of allegiance? Embarrass the parties? Destroy the times in their future where sticking by someone might be a spiritual experience?

I said instead.. "How do you think Sally is feeling now that she has watched all her friends come in and out of the pumpkin patch and she hasn't one piece of sweetened delight to show for her night???

Remember she awaited there... truly, it beyond her own wants. She began to feel for Linus' plight... but still observing that going out on her own, doing her own fun thing with others, and living for today was HER desire! And then there was "Linus". He guilted her... he made her feel that somehow if she believed in him that she would also be visited by "The great Pumpkin!" a Windfall for sure! And basically .. in the end.. she love him.... SO.. what is one to do?????

She reluctantly shrugged her ghostly disguise... and went for the full throttle of the patch! Like a bride headed to Vegas!

She was, at first, firm and just,... so Tammy Wynette,(Hilary Clinton)...
"Stand by your Man" ... until the Media and others started questioning...
"Hey did you see all the candy-loot we got tonight.. and you're stiing here in this stupid patch with him???" Okay??? Ladies.. think of shoes and homes???

(Believe me Sally.. Ive spent MANY Halloweens sitting right along side of you!)

She sat... and sat... she shivered... she got resentful... and finally threw her hands up. .and said.. "Forget it.. I cant believe you got me to do this!"
A woman scorned for sure! But smart and saved!

She cast blame, she named the thief .. she lost a Halloween!! Honestly... That is enough for any woman to question what the hell she is doing?!

Was their true sincerity in that patch??? Not really. True Patch sincerity would have amounted in making her Halloween spectacular! Giving it definition.
Was it Sincerity or Spew?

But did Linus know? Did he question it? Linus really believed this "Great Pumpkin Thing would come..." or did he???? If you watch, He believes almost, honestly because No one else does. He sets himself apart from all the others by believing in this myth because he believes the Great Pumpkin will bring him "riches" that no one else will receive. Its a bit narcissistic don't you think????

And then he engages Sally, in her longing for Linus and her niativity to believe people really want something more from a relationship!

Im torn... Part of me sees Sally's ability to believe in what she cant see... and the other encouarning her to run like hell!!!!

Ironically, the rest of the Peanuts gang is doing what they should be doing.. living in the present.. attending parties, dressing up, picking on the poor neglected kid, and dipping and hiding thru the french WW2 countryside as Snoopy dives into his imagination.

My parting words to Sally today.. et hum.. (Maggie)
"Don't spend your night in a pumpkin Patch with some Boy... you'll miss out on the treats!" (That applies to both sexes).

BTW.. Sally ditches Linus for the good life, only for him to be stubborn. His is retrieved by his very co-dependent sister Lucy at 4am on All Saints Day...

Him, shivering, cold and wet.. and most importantly... Lucy is disgusted ... but loyal.

And most importantly.. truly... I want to know who got all the Resse's Cups the next day?? Was there a winner???? Who got more Tricks or Treats??? Tricks I am afraid.

A learning curve you can't take back... but learn from it very well. NO More Patches with strange boys!!!!

XO, Lucy Van Pelt