I've been single for eight years. During that time, as I moved into retirement and moved toward old age, I've been pretty proud of the fact that I mow the lawn, shovel snow, plant and harvest a garden, haul my trash to the curb each week and deal with the various home repairs that have been required (with the help of appropriate repair people!)
Generally I've even thought of myself as a role model for the younger women who live on my street, all of whom are married and whose husbands take care of all the above things that I do myself. I even imagine that they talk about how young I am for my age, and how I do way more than they do, and wonder if they'll be able to do these things when they're my age.
RIIIIGHT! Today as I was mowing the lawn in a light rain, because if I didn't do it today I was afraid another week would go by with the house looking more and more run-down, I suddenly had an epiphany. Maybe instead of being a role model for the women on my street, I'm actually a cautionary tale. Maybe they see me doing all these things and think to themselves: No way am I ever getting a divorce. Look at all the drudge work she has to do. Look at how she has to do everything! God forbid - Maybe they even feel sorry for me!!
HUH! I guess that will teach me to be smug. The truth is: Probably no one on my street gives a second thought to what I do or don't do. And that's o.k.
