The Soapbox

The other day I was up at the school and a mom acquaintance stopped to talk to me.
The conversation turned into how tough her life is because she works.
I listened.
Nodded.
Smiled.
And never said an ugly word.  (yaye me)

It makes me wonder what people think about our life.
Do they assume that because we have all of these kids and live in the expensive neighborhood so we must be rich?
Do they think that we are rolling in it because our kids play soccer, and do swim team, and art lessons, and take school trips?!?!?
Do they think I just stay home and volunteer at the school and take our youngest to preschool so I can have pedicures and stuff?

I rarely go down this road in public.
I keep my trap shut about our life because it is no one's business.

BUT WTF?!?!?!
I am working 3 jobs.
My sweetie works what seems like 8 million hours a week.

And these are our choices.
We don't complain.  (much)
We don't judge you.

Did you ever once stop to think that I might look like dogshit at the school because I have worked all night and I am trying my hardest to keep doing things during the day for our kids?
Just because I don't show up at pick-up wearing my 'work' clothes doesn't mean that I haven't been working too.
Just because you don't hear me blabbing about racing to the office or to a meeting doesn't mean that I am not just as frantic or tired as you.

Do what you want with your stoopid buckets of money.
And we will keep using our empty buckets to pick up the trash of all of the people that don't give a shit.

But just once, ONCE - stop and listen to what you are saying or complaining about.
Consider who you are talking to.

Every once in a while, take a moment to remember that things aren't always what they seem.
Everyone has problems.
Some more than others.
And some have loads of problems and just choose not to put a billboard on the highway about it.

Have compassion.
Show kindness.

Because it is the right thing to do.

The end.

(wow -where'd that come from?!?!)