Sweetums
This is, I realize, a PEAK Gen X nerd out, but… I follow Muppet History on Facebook. I just saw this post about Sweetums today. Sweetums was always one of my favorites and the reason I always preferred The Muppet Show to Sesame Street. (Sweetums but also the old guys (Statler and Waldorf), and the guy that shot fish out of cannons. And Pigs in Space. Actually nevermind, I loved all of it.)
Anyway, the post reminded me of a little vignette of a memory. The first time I saw The Muppet Movie as a child I was quite distressed when Sweetums got left behind. I was so upset about it I basically missed the rest of the movie, worrying about him. Spoiler Alert! He finally catches up at the end and it’s set up to be a funny moment because you were supposed to forget and then go, “Oh yeah, Sweetums!” But my reaction was more like, “Oh thank God! He’s okay!” I can practically see myself finally pushing back from the front inch of the couch and letting my little butt cheeks relax for the first time in 45 minutes.
In retrospect, I probably should have figured out earlier than my 30s that I have generalized anxiety disorder.
Rachel Lewis
Welcome! I’m a middle-aged former Mormon (aka the “other FOMO”), essayist, and playwright living in Salt Lake City. I work in pharmaceuticals professionally and write recreationally—though I’m open to reversing that someday. On Life and Lemons is where I share humorous snippets about writing, addiction, recovery, relationships, mental health, and whatever else life tosses in the blender. If you enjoy dark humor with a twist of lemon-tart snark—or just need proof that your own life isn’t the only one held together by twist ties and good intentions—you’re in the right place. You can follow me and get updates on the release of my new essay collection at instagram.com/pieces_of_string/. 🍋 Subscribe and let’s overthink things together.