“Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.”
– Albert Camus
Right now, we’re playing a giant game of pin the tail on the donkey, what with the being blindfolded, sent spinning, then pushed off into the unknown. If we could just get that tail on the donkey’s butt, everything would be fine! You thought you were playing a child’s party game, but it’s really a metaphor for my life.
These games used to be fun and exciting, but now they’re exhausting. I just did the egg-toss and have raw yolk all over me. I HAVE A BELLY FULL OF PUNCH AND CAKE. STOP SPINNING ME. TAKE THIS BLINDFOLD OFF. I want to see where I’m going and I want to stick this pin squarely where it belongs, then wash the egg off my shirt. I want normal!
But, see? There’s no such thing.
At least, not for us. Maybe for you and your family, but not mine. YOU try to get the tail on the donkey and I will, instead, focus on making sure that my kin don’t spin themselves into traffic, or pin themselves in the face, or fall off that cliff over there. You try to win the candy prize and I’ll try to keep my family from being admitted to the hospital. Deal?
And, sometimes I think it’s not fair; watching everyone scramble for bubble gum while I sit there, rubbing my face where I got whacked with the pinata stick. But, other times I sneak into my kids’ rooms at night and see them sleeping soundly, each holding a piece of rainbow-colored, papier mache. I hope they know that, although mom didn’t get the prize, she took a hard hit to the cheek in order to get us close to it.
Hopefully I will teach them that at the end of the day, life isn’t about the party favors, it’s about the clean-up and knowing that despite the mess, you will do it again. That sometimes you will have hopes of fun and normalcy that turn to shambles, but you pick up the trash and move on.
Please excuse me while I get my broom.
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Comments
Liz
Aaaaaand, sometimes it seems as if the game will never end *grabs vacuum* let’s DO this!
Momo
It’s a FUBAR party!
Shannon
I love your metaphors and the Kentucky in me loves that you said “kin.”
I believe that your kids do see and know, and if not now, someday. I hope for you that things get easier, even if only for a little while.
Arnebya
Sweep it up, pick it up, and find that random errant Starburst under the table and realize it ain’t all bad as long as we’re still upright and trying. Also, find some ice for my face but know that even through the swelling, we will move forward.
Monica
Keep up the good fight Momo! I love this post. My family and I are right there with you, trying not fall off cliffs or land ourselves in the hospital. Mixed results over here, but the broom comes out at the end of each day and we start over at dawn. 🙂
Momo
*throws rope*
Mama D
There’s a Japanese proverb: “Fall down seven times, get up eight.” As long as you are still getting up, my friend, the game is still on. Wishing you success with the game (and the broom, if need be…)
tara
Sorry Momo. Your version of pin the tail on the donkey does not sound fun. I really things get better soon.
Vicki (Go Mama Go)
Love this and am sharing.
AlisonH
*hug*
Melisa
I love you. Wish I could take some of your struggle away. Hoping things get easier soon. xoxoxoxo
melissa
Hugs Momo!!
Kari
I hate that you are going through something tough.
Thinking of you.
Oh and I have an extra broom if you need one.
🙂
Katie Sluiter
I tend to stay after to help clean up. Because no one should have to deal with all that mess alone.
xxoo
tracey
Sending you love, hon. Lots of it. And also my share of the pinata candy.
Christina
Lots of love from someone who understands, in my own way. Normal is just a setting on the dryer around here.
Hope things are going better soon.
WeaselMomma
Hang in there Momo. It doesn’t always feel like it, but you already have the prize. Cherish it, cuddle it and snuggle up with it for a well deserved and needed nap. Love you, lady.
Lisa @ Oh Boy Oh Boy Oh Boy
See I think the issue is we spend too much time trying convince everyone that everything is great and normal and we assume that we’re the only one’s faking it. I think THIS is the normal and if we’d all be more open (like you have) about that we could cut ourselves more slack and not have to add more guilt to the belly full of punch before we spin out of control.
mare
There is no normal. There’s a quote from the movie Timothy Green when the dad is telling the kid to have a great day. The mom says, “that’s too much pressure.” So the dad says to the kid, “have the day you have.” Great line. We all have the life we have. We can’t control much, but we do the best we can with what we have. THAT’S our normal. God bless you, girl!
from The Dugout
meleah rebeccah
Oh, Momo. I love you. Hang in there! xoxoxo