Did you ever have to make up your mind?
You pick up on one and leave the other behind..
It's not often easy and not often kind..
Did you ever have to make up your mind?.,
Seems to me, life is all about choices. Sure, this Lovin' Spoonful is all about
seeking, finding a mate, perhaps losing a mate due to their choice, or, even yours.
I'm talking day in, day out, CHOICE. We awaken, choose how to perceive and interact with the world. You know me, know better. That sentence wasn't mine, it was AI. BUT, I do kinda agree. We choose our behaviors, like, diet yay/nay... whotheheck, when we see Caller ID, pickup, or not. We can strive for optimism... try to put negativity in the Biz Bag.
So, so many factors play into it all. Age. You know I ain't no expert, but (haha) I do like to watch, observe, folks. When a baby, we're selfish. We've not really learnt anything about others, so, it's Feed Me Seymour, Feed Me, or....... change my dadgum diaper wouldya? When we turn two, we hear, recognize that dreaded word "NO", we immediately cascade to the floor, turn up the volume, flail our arms, legs in a fit of snow angels. I remember WalMart, first ever grandkiddo. Any, everything she wanted, if she could get it up that high, it was in the cart... s'more, paragraph too long, sorry, kinda.
So..... about the 9th item I took back outta the cart, announced (mostly calmly) "No", put back on the shelf, she dropped into tantrum mode... on the floor.. even louder than "Cleanup on aisle 7".. tears, real or forced I dunno... I kept going down the aisle. Turned the corner. Prayed there was no sicko pervert behind to grab her, or, Gladys Kravats turning me in for child neglect. Pitter patter, ah, her footsteps. Little by little, we learned more about wants, choices, who decides, yada. (Things got a lot better when she hopped in the cart, we chose to ride down the fan aisle - 40' long aisle with over a hunnerd fans, all, on, blowing, and we each, acted like 2 year olds, yelling into each and every one!)
Of course we don't have the responsibilities as a youth we must bear, go through as an adult, but, between play and sleep, life is mostly scripted at that age. Time to get up. In the tub. Get dressed. Bus will be here in 7 minutes. School, structure. Bus back. Homework. A bit of play. Dinner. Room clean? Bedtime.
Along the road of life. ........... the Yellow Brick Road... The vast majority of us eventually head to the alter. Alter being a very key word in regard to choice. Oh... so now what? Thermostat. Remote control. Who's driving. The view from the passenger seat, "Slow DOWN Herbert".. "Violet, can you even see the white lines?" Vacation, staycation, to reproduce or not, duties: laundry, cook, clean, grocery store, much. We run our choices by our mate and make mutual, give and take decisions.
Absolutely, there is joy and love in making joint choices. Where to live, house, condo, apartment.. what City? Your town, her town, our town, anudder town. Decisions on what to do, where to go, when. Give, take. Mostly, mutually enjoyed.
I really enjoyed visiting St. Thomas. VICTOR? Tea/price/China? St. Thomas housing is pretty much landlocked. They've built where they could build. So, if Junior chooses to marry, insteada those questions (apartment, condo, buy, acreage, City, Country, yada).. they simply build another level onto their parents home. Basically no choice, unless really affluent.
Being old, single (divorced) I admittedly look like a slob when at home, eat Chili Cheese Fritos wheneverinthehell I want, do this, do that, pretty much whenever I want. Selfish. Perhaps reverting to childhood. While this outfit perfectly fits many, and, they wouldn't want it any other way - sure, I'd enjoy sharing the remainder of what there is here with another, albeit sacrificing selfish choice.
Aging parents effect choice. Our own health, or, that of a mate can make 'must' just that. I know you've seen, perhaps you're going thru, or have gone through, the care taking of a mate. I absolutely do not love the fact one must go through this, but I SO ADMIRE those that set aside their own personal choices - to lend, bring comfort, take care of, their mates - whatever the reason. It's a wonderful reflection of love - and they wouldn't have it any other way. We've all heard the story of the mate going to visit their mate in a Home, a dementia ward, daily. A misguided friend might offer "You do that, but he/she doesn't even recognize, know who you are?" "Yes, but I know who he/she is." Kudos, backflip, pat the heart, yum. Sad, but damn yummy.
Yes, death and taxes. No choice.
But, along the ride, it's such a beautiful journey of choice. Some tough, some not fun, most though, extremely rewarding lending thankfulness and graciousness.
I'm going to take a nap. I'll pass those dishes in the sink en route. I'll get to 'em, but prolly not until after golf. I am very, very thankful for friends that still invite me to do so. Combining age, physical condition, life, it's very tempting, 'easier', to say, "Nah, but thanks."
We've all heard, if you don't move, you die. Our choice I guess.
Love, Victurd
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