Nothing ExtraOrdinary to See Here......

I met a friend of mine for lunch today.  When we go for lunch, she picks the restaurant and it is usually bland food that I don't enjoy, which is a good thing, because the portion sizes are really small. 

She doesn't work because she is a lawyer's wife.  She tells me that atleast twice every time we talk.  This is not a new marriage.  She has been married for the 20 years that I have known her and I can remember that her husband is a lawyer.  She also is apparently busier than I am.  It takes her a whole day on Monday to pay bills and care to the running of her household.  This includes ordering groceries on-line, menu planning, responding to invitations, ensuring lawn and snow are professionally maintained.  It also includes planning their holidays.  As I am very aware, she and her husband (the lawyer) have only had two vacations so far in 2019.  Even though they are planning a trip to Europe in January, they don't think they can wait that long, they are so exhausted, so she is in the process of finalizing a vacation for the end of this month.  She tells me that I have no idea it is to plan a vacation, of their standards, in only three weeks.  My heart aches for her. 

Tuesday is also a busy day which is devoted to shopping for both of them and their home decor.  It is draining. 

Wednesday is the day that she devotes to self-care.  We all know self-care is important.  She visits her stylist and it depends whether she just needs a blow out, or a cut, or a colour how long that takes.  She is very lucky that her stylist works as part of a spa so she can also get a manicure, pedicure, facial, and massage.  It is also date night for them as they deserve a night out. 

Thursday is the day that she catches up with her friends.  I don't always get the coveted lunch spot, but I was fortunate to get it for today. 

Friday is very stressful.  She must supervise the cleaning crew that comes in to freshen up their mansion.  In the afternoon, she meets with their chef who comes on Friday afternoons.  He reviews the menu and makes meals for the weekend so that she just has to heat and serve and he also preps many of the meals for the upcoming week. 

The weekend is for pure relaxation which is needed after their stressful week. 

I tell her that I am excited for Friday night as I am going to Meet at the Bell Tower and ask her if she wants to join me.  She laughs and then says, "oh, you were serious?  Yeah, I don't do things like that." 

I remind her that I have known her for decades and ask her what she has done to pay it forward.  I have to explain the concept to her.  I questioned her and I couldn't find any examples of her sharing her good fortune or even keeping up with the news.  Infact, she was quite offended I would suggest such a thing.  She hadn't had any good fortune, her husband, the lawyer, worked very hard for everything they had. 

I didn't mention some of the cracks I have seen in their fairy-tale life.  Like the time two of her credit cards were declined and I paid for both of us.  We usually get separate bills.  There have been other inconsistencies in her life but I have been kind and not mentioned them.  Today, though, I couldn't be silent today over her lack of grief reaction for Hunter. 

I don't think she heard my thoughts, though.  I think I am insignificant to her.  To break the tension, I asked what her husband does for a living. 

Then, she graciously declined being part of my book about ExtraOrdinary Manitobans.  It is just that her and her husband are famous and it is difficult enough for them to carve out some private time and they didn't want any attention.  I was glad that she declined, even though I wasn't going to ask.  My book is for people that I find to be ExtraOrdinary. 

In a world where you can be anything, chose to be kind. 

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