TCB

Takin' care of buddies. We all want someone to take care of us. We want to be loved and cherished and appreciated for what we do for our friends and families. We don't want medals, but we want to know that the chicken soup when you were sick was welcomed. BUT problems seem to arise when the usual care-giver is in need of caring, or both halves of a couple need caring FOR. That seems to have been theme in my life for the last month or so, and I'm REALLY tired of it.

Normally, I can park the sick kid in my bed, with the TV remote and whatever he feels like eating or drinking, check on him every few hours from work, or home. Or have some sort of supper cooked and in the fridge ready for the microwave for when Mr. Man gets home and is cold and hungry, and I'm in bed. Normally, I'm not the one who needs caring.

This semester has not been normal. Due to bureaucratic miscommunication and quitters at work, I found myself going to school full time AND working full time..... and part time. Many things were let to slide at home (it's a really good thing my children know how to cook and do laundry), and in my relationships. I think I texted my children more than I actually spoke to them this past month. Mr. Man would be crawling into bed when I was headed off to work, and I would be crawling into bed when he was getting up to go to work. About a month ago, I ended up working 48 hours in a row, then jumping in a private plane (no headphones) to go off for our fun adult weekend with 2 other couples-- I was a major mess. I was ready to collapse, literally. I REALLY needed to be taken care of. I was dropped off at the hotel (with the luggage) and I asked Mr. Man to bring me back something to eat, and just leave it on the dresser, I'd eat when I woke up.

I woke up just 3 hours later, but no food...... I called him, and he was out having a good time and told me they hadn't come back, so he hadn't brought me anything. That went on for several more hours. I'm not sure what I was angry about- that he didn't take care of me, that he didn't read my mind, that he didn't put my needs before his or those of the people he was with, or that he was out "having fun" while I was playing the waiting game at the hotel.

Thanksgiving saw about 20-some family members all together, and someone brought a virus. Because on satuday, MANY of us were sick, in about 4 households, at least 9 of us were sick- and I haven't talked with 3 others who were there to see if they were sick. So once again, I needed some caring, and all I got was sick family members.

I think I"m gonna write to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Pope, and the Patriarch of Constantinople to rewrite the marriage vows so the only ONE person is allowed to be sick or in need of care at a time. Wonder who I would write to about mind reading.

Thankfully, I have had some awesome friends who, knowing I didn't have a working stove for about the last month, sent over meatloaf, banana bread, shredded beef, and a casserole so we could just throw in the microwave. I also have some awesome friends who understand my somewhat sick, somewhat off kilter sense of humor. My friends have truly kept my cheese on my cracker this semester, and I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!