You Said It Yourself

     I was careful.  I was actually perturbed but I went for the melodramatic instead.  I wrote that I'm heartbroken at the good riddance some parents express at the onset of a new school year.  A pet peeve of mine is that every fall there are moms who are ready to push their kids onto the school bus.  I always thought it was because the parent and child couldn't get along and my answer to an obnoxious child is for the parent to look in the mirror at his or her equally obnoxious self.  However, it was put crystal clear to me that some moms think the scramble of finding someone to babysit when summer camps have run out is "exhausting", that the job and housework leave no "me" time.  Oh, and the best part is that I, myself, live in "fantasy land".
     First off, I can bet she brought preconceived notions about me to the table.  It's always a shame when people listen to gossip.  Trouble is I don't want to give her my side.  I don't want to ruin what was the good between me and the mutual friend who introduced us.
     Secondly, I was more concerned that someone else I know had a "status" similar to hers.  But the conscience was pricked and that's between her and her Maker.
     Thirdly, I love how my kids rose to the occasion.  Michael, Jr who is often jokingly the devil's advocate, said ,"You do all that stuff and there are 7 of us."  Melody was gone with Mike for the day and upon her return and without my mention came across the post and comment.  She politely wrote, "Now, that's not nice ..."  She followed it with something like, "I said somthing and not becouse she's my mom." 
     Well, spelling doesn't come particularly naturally to the Harpers.  That goes along with the running gene we must be missing.  (I'm thinking these 2 things call for drill practice :)  It all leads to how open I am about our shortcomings.  She told me herself months ago when I ran into her at the store that she loved keeping up with us via posts and blog posts.   She must not be keeping up too well because whose "fantasy land" involves bankruptcy, life altering illness of a child, and regular foul ups?
     On the contrary, her world of high end living, partying with lavish vehicles and trips is the surreal life she ironically blasts me with.  Her husband runs his own successful company, so "need" is unlikely.  It's very similar to a "Wife Swap" I saw this weekend.  If she hadn't deleted her account, I'd be tempted to ask what her son would prefer, his mother or her substitutes, his video gaming or her time.
    "You said it yourself," I'dve replied but I didn't have to.  She made her case for everyone who read her words.  The care for her son is a hassle.  And she doesn't even know how manageable it could be.  I won't leave this session without saying she's in plenty of company, in and out of the church.  When you have a baby and set out with an ultimatum of six weeks or a few months or a few years of your undivided attention and then hand him over to a surrogate as if she suffices, you are part time mothering.  Believers, do you have no more belief than that God can't provide the needs of you and your baby?  Ah, now you're defensive!  I babysat more than 14 children over a period of 3 years and only one of the mothers said she "had" to work.  Even she had no intentions of quitting when times smoothed over.
     I tire of apologizing for the truth, so I'm not going to.  Churches have lost their attraction because most have nothing new to offer.  Hardly a pastor will preach directly to women for fear of retribution for "politically and socially incorrect" statements, otherwise known as Biblical teaching.  In the meantime, women chase after substitutes for fulfillment that is right at home.
     So, as you run the school bus down to shove the kids in, remember there is a wannabe mom somewhere who'd die for your position.  There's an unhealthy relationship your child will find trying to replace the one you've tossed aside, that barely allows time for more than daily maintenance and a snipit of who you'd be if you weren't so drained.
     Oh, and I'm proof positive that I can, could, and would perform virtually any job superbly.  Not only am I academically proven, but also on a weekly basis, I begrudgingly correct legal, medical, and otherwise professional staff.  So, if I want a "fantasy land", I could make it and make it big, but I have what I want.  I'm not the one who should be checking my state of reality.  It's not easy or posh or pretty all the time, but nothing worth having is. 
     After noting all these thoughts, I pouted my way to my prayer list to add this family.  In a day or so, my gusto will be subdued and I'll be left burdened that God intervenes for the sake of a youngster, for the generations of children cycled in and out of the busyness of artificial living.  The surrounding circumstances will pale and, God willing, you'll hear from me on some new subject, perhaps even more controversial than this one ;)