Thread:Chrisiow/@comment-35315474-20180520225832

I wanted to drop by and apologize for not understanding your humor in your book thread. I've been thinking about it, and to be honest, I seem to have a chip on my shoulder which is coming out. I think it started when you said you couldn't do some of the things we do because you have to work. I took offense to that. I took it to insinuate that I (and the others on here) do not also work hard like you.

I have always been an exceptionally hard worker as far back as I can remember. My first "job" was when I was in the 2nd grade and trimmed the grass around trees and swept people's driveways for a nickel. I began babysitting at 11. I had to buy all my own stuff, including clothes, around that time and thereafter. I then spent my summers working full time babysitting from 7am-7pm while parents went to work (this was before the days of daycare — I am old LOL!). Then I kept two part-time jobs when I was of legal age to be formally hired. In the 8th grade, I scheduled my high school classes so I could work during my senior year, and then I followed through with that. My entire senior year, I went to school in the morning and then worked a full-time job from 12pm-9:30pm. I had to wear a suit to school every day for work. Got off at 9:30, drove home (in the car I paid for), and then did my homework only to go to sleep and do it again the next day. I worked my but off which enabled me to buy my first house by myself when I was 21 years old (brand new garden home). I have worked. And worked. And worked!! I was still working as I attended college (which I did on my own as my parents didn't believe in it). I finally stopped at my husband's request so I could stay home and raise our kids. Then went back to college to finish my bachelor's degree. I was taking a mid-term exam on my 50th birthday and finals on my 25th wedding anniversary; no parties for me. I finally finished with a master's degree last Dec at 56 years old. And now I have to study to pass a national exam in order to be licensed in the state of Texas (kind of like taking the bar exam, but different subject). Oh, have I worked. All my life. And I am utterly exhausted.

So to hear someone say they can't do what I can because they have to work, it hit me the wrong way. I took it to say I must not be working hard like you are.

A lot of the way I took your comment has to do with how I was raised. It was no accident I was always working, starting at a very young age. While I know now it's not the way a child should be valued in a family, it does not change that what I did (working) was all my parents valued. If I was not working, I was worthless. Your comment inadvertently triggered that, and I've carried that with me when I see you post ever since.

I honestly don't believe you were intentionally trying to say I was lazy and worthless and never worked hard like you do. So I need to try to let my issues go when I see your posts. I'd like to start by apologizing for my comment in your book thread and then try to be more in tune with your humor in the future instead of taking it the wrong way.

I hope you can understand and can accept my apology. 💖💞💕 