Is it just me?
Today marks the third golf-outting hub-man has bequeathed himself, as part of his All June, All (insert name) Father's Day Hommage -- a Hallmark Holiday that seems to require 3 full weekends to celebrate.
Normally, I don't mind such stupid trivial things.... after all, is it not my duty, as "the wife" to encourage the man-in-my-daily-life to take time for "himself"? Sure, this encouraged down-time does not go both ways... it never did, but this year I find myself getting especially bothered by the idea that the father of my children seems to honor his role as Man and Father so much more than he honors/respects my daily role of Woman and Mother. OK, I'll be honest, my youngest twin has been sick and I'm tired... REAL tired... and just once I'd like dinner made FOR me so I can nap and watch TV. This year has been another rough lonely one, but I'm really not allowed to complain. I'm supposed to be grateful because not many women have "it" as good as I do. [Or so he keeps telling me... I'm told most men would have left years ago.]
Next year this time, I'm expected to be working full-time (because he will be retired from his job), so maybe we will experience a full-blown Role Reversal, making many things in our lives new and different. I dunno... I haven't worked in 15 years... what sort of job does a middle-aged SAHM get these days? Will it be enough to keep a family of 6 going?
But there's more to my litany of complaints. You see, one of hub-man's golfing/poker buddies is getting divorced. I don't know the details, but from what I understand, according to the gossiping men-folk, the wife is a real cold bitch -- rumor has it she's always demanding the husband do things with the son with Down's Syndrome, giving little to no time to himself. [It's a damn shame the man can't get a break.] It seems as though we house hags ought to be grateful for all that is given when a man impregnates and STAYS, in spite of the many difficulties such a sacrifice brings. [After all, he could have bailed-out years ago... leaving the woman and two children alone and on her own....]
Father's Day is Sunday. I will do my duty and pay homage as it IS expected. I do it because I have four children, and giving until it goes beyond hurting is something I'm used to doing. I'm just sick of feeling grateful (in that gift-giving sort of way) because someone came, stayed (sorta) and keeps going away when the tough keep going. Hey, I should count my blessings, at least he's the only parent I have in my life to honor one day out of the year.