Envy

originally posted Wednesday, August 10, 2005

So maybe Paul Harvey was onto something afterall with his ubiquitous "...and now you know [pause] the rest of the story."

It seems there's always a back story to things. I guess everyone suffers.

Recently, I've learned about some friends and acquaintances that I thought had it made. I've spent time envying their lives ... and lifestyles. Why do they get to quit work and enjoy an oceanfront vacation home when I'm stuck toiling in the mines all day? Why do they get the fairytale marriage? It's not fair!!!!!

[It should be noted that throughout my childhood my mother's cruel and pragmatic mantra was "Life isn't fair", yet somehow I still expect and yearn for the fairness that never comes.]

Their back stories of philandering spouses, betrayal, abuse and heartbreak make me glad for my own small problems and my life as a meager singleton. Yes, I routinely endure the holidays alone, but isn't that better than having to spend it with a cheating spouse?