Another Lifestyle Speaks Up
Mon., December 15, 02:39 PM
I saw an editorial cartoon by David Horsey in the newspaper last week. In case you can’t read it, I will supply the text from the first five panels (women speaking):
“Families come in all shapes and sizes…” “So why allow only a man and a woman to marry?” “Our kind has been persecuted for centuries…” “Yet many great figures of history had sexual preferences just like ours!” “What goes on the privacy of our home is not the business of the government!”
The final panel shows the man saying, “O.K., then my dear wives, let’s head to Salt Lake City and file ourselves a lawsuit!”
My instant reaction was “but that’s different”; in reality, of course, it is not. Everything those women say is true. And I remembered an article I’d read many years ago (I was a teenager) about a family that was arrested for polygamy.
The wife who was interviewed said they were happy in their marriage. She and her husband discussed not only the concept but the candidates before he took a second wife, and the second wife helped select the third one. The “sisters” divided the running of the household among themselves, according to what they did best. One cooked, one cared for the children, one managed the cleaning, and so forth. I had to admit it worked for them, although it certainly wasn’t my cup of tea. Of all the things I’m willing to share, a husband isn’t one of them!
Well, I’ve learned a few things since then. I know there are lots of pros and cons regarding communal living – because that’s what it is – but certainly one of the good things is having help. Being a parent and homemaker is not an easy job for a single person. If you don’t have extended family, you are fortunate indeed if you have friends to step in.
But I found myself wondering: if their arrangement is so wonderful, what do they need the man for?
So they captured Saddam Hussein, the man who wasn’t going to give up without a fight. His sons died trying to avoid capture. I read that his grandson died that way too. But Saddam is still alive and, according to the reports I heard, in good health. Just another reason I consider him contemptible.
So, what am I grateful for this morning?
- Sunshine, at least a little. After a weekend of storm, it was lovely. In a couple of weeks, maybe we’ll start seeing the days get longer.
- My snow removers. They were out there just after six, working in the dark to clean our drive, sidewalks and steps. They’re worth every penny.
- My Middle Daughter, who does’t give “holiday” gifts. When the book she ordered for me arrived, she decided to give it to me right away. It will eventually get a page of its own.
