Obligation?

If I know one thing for sure, it is that we are creatures of habit. Even the people that want to live on the edge or re-create themselves live alot of lives out of habit. They live on the edge or re-create...just out of habit.

One habit that alot of people have (I'm sure myself as well even though it's much harder to critique yourself) is saying "I have to because...".

Even though I think that family is one of the most important elements in life (whether biological or not), I also know that the concept of family, it's broad definition and the impact that it can have on peoples lives whether positive or negative can be huge.

There are instances where family can be the foundation and part of a great life, but there are also instances where family can destroy lives or at the least make them miserable – depending on which ones you were given.

My mother has recently had an illness. Throughout this illness, I took off a day of work and spent a day helping her in all ways possible. We live an hour a part, I work full-time, have three children of my own and limited vacation & sick days. Therefore when her 2nd surgery came around, I did not take off to go & be with her. I did offer for her to come stay with me and of course if she really needed me, I would be there, but I hate hospitals and couldn’t stomach the thought of spending the day there.

I have an aunt that spends most of her life giving to other people. She helps to take care of my grandmother, her grown children, a husband, her clients and now ailing sister. She is a saint, mother Theresa. I am the “bad daughter”.

I know so many people that live their lives for others. I know that in order to receive, we must give. But I also question how happy they are or how many golden stars in heaven they are trying to earn? Maybe it’s just the way they are raised more than anything and if they did nothing, they would be riddled with guilt til their dying day?

Sometimes I think I missed the guilt gene when God was giving it out? I Sometimes I wonder if I will be like the woman I heard about today on the radio that has been dead for over a year in her house and no one ever knew?

The DJ says, that is soooooo sad. Really, it is? No, to it just means she died in peace and has been that way for over a year & now she’s got the whole city talking about her.