Life is strange

Well, it's time to go on to a more serious topic. Life. Life is strange; not because it's without its joys, but because it includes sorrows from the oddest of places.

My step-daughter has it made. She's 23 and hasn't been out of the house for a total of two months her entire life (as far as I know - I may be guessing a little low, but it's not terribly low; I know that!). She recently got a job. Even though it's an 8-hour-a-day gig, she comes in "exhausted" and unable to do anything around the house except talk on the phone or play on the computer. Funny....MY chores don't go away when I'M exhausted; I guess I'm special! She and my darling bride (MDB), whom I love dearly, do not get along very well. She's civil to me, but when she gets alone with MDB, she's rude, making ugly comments, correcting her at every opportunity, and just generally showing a lack of respect; this despite the fact that she's been taken care of in every way (food, shelter, clothing, medical, etc.) WAY after the time most parents give their kids the boot and INSIST that they take care of themselves! I heard a saying one time; it goes something like this - "Don't bite the hand that feeds you." At least, I think that's the way I remember it. Meanwhile, MDB is stressed to the max about it, even to the point of worrying that it may come between us (NOT going to happen!!!).

In fairness, step-daughter is mildly handicapped with cerebral palsy and is unable to operate a motor vehicle. Otherwise, she's of average or above intelligence and capable in every way. Her handicap makes it necessary for whoever she depends upon to provide her with transportation to wherever she needs to go, including work, the store, the doctor, or wherever.

Here's my take - One doesn't need to be a fully functional member of society to be nice, especially to someone who's taken care of you since the day you were born. Most 23 year-olds are out on their own, either starting a family or working hard toward the eventuality, NOT living at home making life miserable for mom. Step-daughter has an opportunity to move into an assisted living situation FOR FREE for several years, a half-way sort of thing, where she could be taught valuable skills for making the transition to independence. However, since she got the job, she's thinking she doesn't need the help anymore (I guess). Oh...you can drive now? Oh...you're able to pay for your own housing, food, clothing, utilities, medical expenses, transportation, etc., just because you got a $1200/month job all of a sudden? I think you'd better put pencil to paper and figure a few things out before you throw away a valuable opportunity - that's what I think! Oh...and has anyone figured out how the trip to PA (she wants to move to Pennsylvania to be close to her dad) is going to be financed? MDB bought the tickets last time; I don't think we can afford to do it again. And what about moving expenses? Priced a U-Haul for 1500 miles lately? Who's going to help you load/unload it?

I think that thought is way underrated. It's something we should engage in every time we make an important decision. Just as underrated, perhaps moreso, is prayer. Maybe we should seek God's guidance before we make a really dumb mistake. But then, that's just my opinion and, who am I? Just the guy who married the most wonderful woman on the planet, you know, the one who's ruining your life.

Dan