I don’t understand how my sister can give so much to other people. During my visit to her over the weekend, she did not do even one thing just for herself. From the time I landed, it was non-stop attention. She took a day off just for me, and I was fed gourmet food. No wonder everyone says that my brother-in-law is lucky. I need a wife like my sister too!
Guess it’s personality. I just don’t have what it takes to give so much. That’s why friends are so important to me. It’s giving, but on my own terms. My life is so planned, so I don’t have to anticipate what everyone else needs. We are having dinner at a certain time or going to a museum on a particular day.
Besides, the limited time that I interact with people means that they are usually on their best behavior. I try not to make dinner plans with friends on Fridays; they are usually tired and grouchy from the work week.
How else is a person going to do all the things that they want to do? My sister has piles of magazines that she is waiting to read. She has a basket of crafts projects started but not finished. Her life is always about other people.
My life is about people too, but it’s just the best part of other people. I subscribe to the gas-mask theory. The instructions that flight attendants give you is to secure your own gas mask before helping others. I can only give to others as much as I give myself.
