I'd like to think of myself as a good person. I do a lot for my family. I'm not complaining about my life. It's challenging. It's rewarding. It's a good life.
I am the primary caregiver, the breadwinner, the meal planner, the short order cook, the one who does the laundry, often takes out the trash, wraps every single present we've ever given to another human being. I'm the only grandchild that always calls my grandma the day I receive a card in the mail from her. I've been barfed on. A lot. I'm almost always the first person up and the last person to bed. I've cooked meals for my entire extended family. I've probably mopped enough square footage of tile floors to cover the continental United States.
Some days, I wish that I could pull out some play book and get credit for all the work I do do.
If I mess up, forget something, don't return a call, put something in the wrong place, break a glass, don't mail a letter for two months, miss a doctor appointment, or generally feel like I'm failing, I can pull out my pad and remind myself (and others) about all those other times when I had my act together, was on the ball, managed it all, and made it look easy.
but, really, who's keeping score?
