Thursday, February 6, 2014

40 Days Till 40 (Day 33)


REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE 5th OF…FEBRUARY

It was not without a certain amount of melancholy that I realized today is February 5th.  Today, after all, would have been my 14th wedding anniversary.  Even though I feel I have made great strides since the divorce, I am still dissatisfied with my current romantic situation (uh, if you can call NOTHING a situation) and, as you may know if you read my blog yesterday, with the situation with the ex himself.  Every year that passes I endeavor to find new memories with which to bring an alternate significance to the day. 

3 years ago (in the beginning of the end), I went to Monterey with my daughter—a bittersweet trip since he was supposed to join us but “couldn’t get away from work”.  When we returned from the trip, I was given a “joke” anniversary card depicting a wife yelling at her husband as they were plummeting to their deaths.  Ouch. 

2 years ago, I got a tattoo to commemorate the divorce.  I love it, but it’s still a reminder that I must keep fighting against and healing from heartbreak.  I was, however accompanied by two of my most spiritual and inspirational friends and we had a great brunch after. 

Last year I was working.  My daughter, however, was on a Disney cruise with the ex and his parents.  Don’t even get me started on that one. 

In other words, no overly successful melancholy blockers.  True to form, I didn’t get one today either.

Today, my daughter decided to quit a play for which she begged me to let her audition.  Apparently, she didn’t like her part (too small) and was therefore bored. I, of course, was disappointed. Ultimately, I don’t want to force her to do something that makes her miserable, but you’d better believe that there were conversations about responsibility, commitment, whether or not she had truly tried her best and how “there are no small parts, only small actors”.  We also discussed how difficult it was to move schedules or arrange transportation to accommodate her rehearsals.  I told her, if she makes this decision now, she may not get to participate in future productions with that theater company, either because she doesn’t seem reliable or deserving or simply because I won’t let her.  I doubt she would get any larger roles either. Tough love, maybe, but she will eventually have to realize that every choice she makes in life can affect other people—and herself.  At least I hope she does. 

Something else came from her decision to quit the show:  a realization that sometimes accommodating others’ needs or wants does not always make me happy…or even lead to success.  I flashed on everything I’ve done recently when I’ve felt disappointed or slighted and many of those things came from being accommodating.  It’s hard not to feel selfish saying that, but it’s, at least lately, true. 

But that’s another blog entry for another time, I think.  I am trying to prevent my February 5th melancholy, not perpetuate it!

Until tomorrow, Lovelies….

No comments:

Post a Comment