I always find it a tad bit humorous when someone asks me if I’m going to so and so for whatever gathering. The look on their faces are always priceless when I say that it’s the first I’ve heard of it. Then there’s that awkward silent pause. I have to laugh just a little on the inside.
Some things never really change with time. I’ve never been on the A list. Well unless you count when someone needs a strong back and a truck, trailer, or someone to drive a rented truck. Then oddly enough I’m one of the first called. Hmmmm.
To me the thing that’s even worse than this is when the activity is already in progress and you happen to contact someone who’s on the A list. You get the “hey we’re all down at such and such. You should come join us.” Um, no. It’s the afterthought invite. Yeah I think I’ll be passing on that one too.
Here’s another good one. You know when you are in on the planning stages of an event or trip. You’ve worked out where to go and when. You’ve got the work schedule in order so you can make said trip. Then BAM! You find out that it’s been decided that the rest of the group has changed plans. Yeah we’re leaving earlier than agreed upon. Knowing full well you won’t be off work by then. The best part is when they say that they weren’t planning on you going.
Don’t ya just love it? These are the same people that want you to take them on all these out of the way trips you go on. They wonder why you do things by yourself. They don’t understand why you spend so much time alone.
Working a schedule on the opposite axis as most of the rest of the world doesn’t help either. Relationships of any kind are hard enough. Add the odd work schedule and it’s exaggerated. These same people see how difficult it is to have relationships with friends are the very ones always asking why you don’t date.
Not to mention the fact that you’ve pretty much put your life on hold to care for two elderly family members. Single handed mind you. For this I’m very grateful to be able to do. Although it is very taxing mentally and physically. You get to the point to where you just put out the fires that pop up in your path. You don’t hope for the best. You don’t prepare for the worst. You simply take care of the situation at hand.
In trying to prepare yourself for this task you’ve sold the one object that was your escape. The one thing that took you places physically mentally and emotionally to that happy place. To the places of the past when times were good. To the places and people who made you into the man you are today.
Thank God for those people and places of my past. For if it were not for them I couldn’t do what needs to be done.
