In My Opinion

I have to admit, I have been sitting here feeling sorry for myself (sort of) this weekend.  You know, I love the internet.  But sometimes, there are just things that a person is better off not knowing.  There are things in my past that I have digested; learned to deal with.  I had no choice. 

Take this for example:  I graduated from high school in 1985 and by some point in the early 90s I had to deal with the fact that somebody who graduated 2 years behind me (as in somebody who is YOUNGER than me) has her own action figure.  Wow.  That's a little mind blowing.  I went to a small school so while we weren't friends this is somebody that was basically part of the daily circle of people that I saw.  And she has a freakin' action figure.  (think X-files)

Not to long after that I got out of the Air Force.  I was back home, a (not all that) young mother and my best friend from high school and her husband bought a house in the suburbs (ya, one of the nice suburbs) of detroit because they were relocating.  They bought a 4 bedroom, although they had no children at the time, because it has better resale value.  I don't begrudge people their financial prosperity - it would just be nice not to be on this end of it all the time.

Now there's this weekend.  It turns out that another one of the wonderful women in my graduating class is the author of two "for dummies" books.  Meanwhile I have done...what?  with my life?

OK, so reading her bio it doesn't look like she has kids.  And as much as I love my best friend she chose to work through her children dropping them at daycare at 7am and not getting them to 6 each night, 5 days a week.  So I, at least, have that in my life.  My knowledge that I have done all I can for my two beautiful children.  And I AM doing something right now that I am passionate about, but come on!  I am so frustrated!  What wrong choice did I make that led me down this road?  Which path should I have taken to seize this worldly success that so many of my peers seem to have had no problem finding.  I know, I know, it's childish to think these things.  But come on!  Does this seem fair to anybody else out there?? 

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• #13 Comment from randlprysock 
  11/6/07 11:23 PM | Permalink

  I totally relate.  I am working a dead end job to be here for my kids, writing a book by hand and not having much time to type it in, no savings, struggling, finally bought a house very late in life.... I know... and I still have to finish college.  It is so hard.  Hang in there.  Maybe we will be late bloomers.  But the kids are the most important thing, not the other stuff, so I think we are doing the right thing.  And I always think of ultimately that one verse about God loves the meek and the humble.  We may be lowly but he Loves us so even if we are in a tough spot.  There, hey, that should be my next entry.  LOL   Hugs,
  Lisa
• #12 Comment from fasttrack58 
  11/6/07 6:57 PM | Permalink

  Twenty seven years with the company and I stock shoes, lol....
  Some day we will figure out what we want to be when we grow up.....
  Big hugs!
  Linda :)
• #11 Comment from bbartle3 
  11/6/07 11:15 AM | Permalink

  Children need a Mother & a Father.
  Thinking otherwise, as America has
  chosen to do, is just one of the
  downsides of America's temporary
  rejection of Freudian psychology.
  There are, mercifully, signs Freud is
  making a comeback. You can follow
  this in some really smart movies
  such as REIGN OVER ME which I saw
  for the first time only yesterday: three
  times yesterday!! Wow, way
  to go!
  
  Barry
  
  
• #10 Comment from mombzbe 
  11/5/07 7:42 PM | Permalink

  I hate it when I feel that way.  The days when nothing adds up right, the "Oh-crap-it's-gonna-be-a-long-week-til-payday" moments when I wonder why I didn't think of that trend first?
  
  I try to replay the moments in my head when anyone has ever complimented me on my kids, or told me they were enjoyable; the times when I feel like I will burst with pride at their little steps--it isn't easy, but it's worth it.  Hopefully they will grow up and enjoy their lives, and keep enriching mine.
  
  I like to say we aren't rich on paper, but we're rich in love.   Yeah, I know it's hokey, but sometimes, it's all I got.
  Hang in there,
  Anna
  P.S. I also focus on that this time, this time when they are small, is not forever.  I can be a CEO when I'm a grandma, who knows???
• #9 Comment from justplainbill 
  11/5/07 1:45 PM | Permalink

  Continued from the old man:
  
  Have a comfortable life now with more than sufficient income to do what we want to do and share our funds with the children and grandchildren (four two boys and two girls). Wife is and was a good housekeeper, shopper and took care of all the household finances. She still clips coupons and shops for the sales.
  Kids went to good schools and ended up as Lawyer/Law School Professor, Mechanic, MBA/CPA and a school teacher (second grade). Three are married to great spouses and seem very happy. We see them all often and they all come to grand mom's for dinner each Sunday.
  The mechanic has been married twice and is still trying to find himself.
  
  All in all I have had what I consider to be a great family and life. My theory was always to do the best I could do and that is all I can do. It worked for me.
  
  The whole point I want to make, after this long boring and bragging dissertation, is that the most important, meaningful and satisfying thing I ever did was to raise my children. I am pleased with the job we did with them and they and the grandchildren are such a source of pleasure to us now.
  
  Do the best you can and be happy with the success you make and raise your children so that you will proud of them when they grow up.
  
  Thanks for reading to this point, I hope it may help, good luck to you. Bill