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Can’t Piss and Moan today.
I mean, I could, but I won’t.
Today we pause and reflect on those that gave their lives so that we might be free, and hopefully continue to be free. That’s why they died. And for that we honor them today.
Thanks, to then men and women who have given their lives in the name of freedom.
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I’ll admit, I have a problem.
The problem? I have too many expectations. I don’t think I am an unreasonable person, but I do think that having expectations in the current days is slowly becoming an exercise in futility.
I expect that people mean what they say, and say what they mean.
I expect that people will be responsible for themselves.
I expect that people will own their actions, or inaction.
I expect that people will follow through. That they will honor their word.
I expect that family members will be productive citizens when they come of age.
I expect that my rights as a citizen of the United States are paramount to those of a non-citizen (obviously within limit as I am not a lawless individual).
I expect that the media should be fair and balanced.
I expect that my tax dollars are used for legitimate needs.
I expect that good customer service can’t be compromised.
I expect that respecting our elders and law enforcement is a given.
I could go on. But I won’t.
It doesn’t seem that there is a point to having expectations any longer. Yes, we all have our own expectations but there used to be those that everyone agreed upon and that just simply isn’t the case any longer.
What do you think? Is it unreasonable to have expectations these days?
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Kids. They can be so confusing.
When my daughter was really young she used to tell me that she “didn’t want me.” I, of course, knew she was mad at me and knew that she wasn’t really speaking truth, at least the truth of a 2-3 year old.
Now I find myself in the later years, as she is a teen, saying more things that start with, “I don’t want you…”
Most of the time is related to a request for her independence and I respect that. I shouldn’t need or want to do everything for her. I am willing to let her explore things on her own and allow her the freedom to have success and to make mistakes. I may not always be happy about the choices, but they are hers to make. I can, of course, choose not to honor the “I don’t want you…” if I know the choice or decision isn’t in her best interest and is dangerous.
She now has a job. It’s doing something she likes (kinda, kids don’t really like to work) and in a sport she has enjoyed for a long time. She has been reffing soccer games for the parks and rec. For the most part, she has enjoyed it and she has been successful at it this year.
I once said, shortly after she got the job, that I was going to come watch her some time. Her response was, “Dad, I don’t want you to come watch me ref games.” When asked why she said that was just weird, that parents aren’t supposed to go to their kids’ place of work just so they can watch them. OK, get that. We visited my son at Taco Bell shortly after he got his first job just to tease him a little but it wasn’t to sit and watch him during his whole shift.
So, to honor her request, I have stayed away. Part of me wants to go watch her and be proud of the job she does, but I can also do that just sitting at home. I don’t have to see her to know she is doing the best she can, really enjoying what she is doing at the time, and be proud of her too. Right?
Am I correct in honoring her “Dad, I don’t want you…”?
Why can’t kids come with a damn instruction manual?
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Here in the US we have a national holiday today. Unfortunately, I am sure there are many people who take advantage of the day off but have no idea what it means or why. Then there are those who get the day mixed up with a different holiday.
Today is Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember those who died protecting and serving our country. These men and women gave everything so that we might be free. They deserve our honor.
But, some people get today confused with Veteran’s Day, which is in November and is meant to celebrate those who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces. Key distinction, Veteran’s Day is for those who are still alive. They too deserve our honor for their sacrifice, but their sacrifice is different than what we celebrate today.
It is irritating, to me at least, to hear people mix the two up. Yes, veterans deserve our respect every day but let’s at least keep the day for honoring the dead for the dead. Their sacrifice was the greatest because after their lives, there was nothing left to give.
We Piss and Moan about a lot of things around here, but we are thankful for the sacrifice of the men and women serving our country to keep us free so we can.
Piss and Moan 