An overwhelming feeling surfaces at moments, and threatens the equanimity that I have structured into my days. The overwhelming feeling arises from the uncertainty of career plans, of education, or even the timely payment of bills. Is it awful that at 24 I don't know what I want to be when I "grow up," that inevitably the growing up has been done and over with for at least 3 years since I got married--is that awful? Is it surprising that at this age, I only have a vague understanding of meaningful work, as described by those people profiled in the New York Times, or described in Social Innovation Magazine? Is it strange that I do not yet know where I am headed but that I have a desire only to move, to go somewhere so long as it is on the path towards God and employment? I want to stop paying $400 for health insurance when neither my husband nor I am gainfully employed. I am grateful for friends and family that provide some clarity on things. I appreciate the little joys of conversation, laughter, and insanity. Youth is gone, but the future demands responsibility and growth. I am grateful for the smallest moments shared in good company. It is only for a little while, after all. The stresses will pass. The work will increase. And at the end of the day, I will be where I aimed to be..
It is difficult to be merely a friend to a boy who seems more suitable as a husband than a friend. To reduce a potential life partner to a friend is immature and selfish. Friendship is the not the greatest type of relationship, but it is the safest. Friendship allows you to be intimate without the messiness of other things, like physical attraction, etc. Between friends, there is a warm permanence, a fuzziness that can be called appreciation and gratitude. There is also comfort and trust. Friendship is great if only for the possibility that one can know the beauty of another human being. The possibility of that is worth the difficulty of all else. But sometimes friendship is not enough. Sometimes, to reduce someone to friend when he should be much more is an affront to the opportunity God has presented before you. It is like saying to him, I know that we are amazing together, but we should be friends because I am a dumbass. To reduce him to friend also precludes the possibility of love...
Comments
Post a Comment