5/31/12—Complaining, Whether You Like It Or Not

Today's Draw: The Emperor from the Ferret Tarot. Are you tired of hearing everyone else complain while you've got plenty to complain about? Are you miffed that everyone else thinks they've got it so bad? How come some people get to complain and others don't?

So I mentioned yesterday that I received TWO decks yesterday, each in a beautiful homemade bag. This is the second. The Ferret Tarot. This is a simply drawn, simply produced deck—don't go looking for no glossy stock or rounded corners or fancy colors like blue and red. But if you want to go out looking for some whimsy and squee, you won't be disappointed. 

Take, for example, our Emperor. It seems the little ones have been traumatized and they've come to daddy for protection. Daddy has his hands full. 

OK. This is not going to make me popular, but it reminds me of being a single person. Yeah, I know. Married people have it bad. Married with kids people have it worse. The single parent is the most put upon creature in the world. We know. We know. It's all over the news. It's depicted 24/7 on Lifetime. It's the topic of nearly every situation comedy and drama out there. While all the depictions of single people have them spending money on fancy shoes, eating out every day of the week and clubbing on weekends. Which start on Thursdays and end on Tuesdays. I know. We've got it so good. 

Ferrets laugh in the face of temperance.

But I'm here to tell you it's not the glitz and glam you think it is. I live in a house with a yard just like you. But I'm the sole breadwinner. The sole lawn mower. The sole gardener. The sole housekeeper, cook, shopper, car inspector, blah da blee, blah da blah. Ain't nobody helping me. And while some things are multiplied in your home, like the laundry, your yard, your house and your garden are the same size as mine. We make the same number of trips to the grocery store, post office, drug store, etc. 

On top of all of that, I run my own business where I'm the sole work getter and work doer. In a tight economy. So while you're *feeling* like all the responsibility and worry in your household falls on your shoulders, consider there are those out there whose shoulders ALL the responsibility and worry *actually* falls on. For real. Every day. With no end in sight.

Da Vinci left off the tail in earlier versions.

I hear you complain about your do-nothing spouse, but he's taking out the trash, isn't he? He's bringing in a paycheck. Guess who does that stuff at my house? And while you're talking about how messy your kids are, I know you're also putting them to work as indentured servants just like my parents did. They're out there clearing the grass out of the cracks in the driveway. Guess who does that for me? And while you're talking about your bad day with your husband, I'm watching yet another Lifetime movie and pretending to cry about a single mother who fell in love with a man she didn't know was an ex-con until he kidnapped her and her kids by knife point, when I'm really crying about myself. While eating a bowl of ice cream.

Yeah, yeah. It's my choice. I get that. But nobody forced you to have kids and get married. You made the choice, too. Therefore you're no more entitled to complain about your choices than me. Truth is, we all have it hard. You try navigating the myriad responsibilities, requirements and decisions of life without someone else there to help shoulder the burden.

Minors are fully illustrated. And hydrated.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for pity. Hell, I love my life. I wouldn't have it any other way. I have two dogs who shower me with love and attention. I get to eat whatever I want for dinner. I don't answer to anyone. My house is always peaceful and quiet. And if I don't feel like cleaning something up, it can just sit there until I do. I've never wanted the kids and husband anyway, so it's not like I'm jealous or anything. 

Likewise, I'm sure you love your life and also wouldn't have it any other way. But sometimes my life really sucks. Just like your life does. The only difference is you get to say it and if a single person does more than think it, society rolls its eyes. 

So there. I put it out there. It's about time all the non-singles heard it! Now excuse me. I have something important to do.  

*clicking on my TV remote that I have complete control over and perusing the many options on all the Lifetime channels tonight*