1. During the middle of April, my experience serving as a board member of a local nonprofit began to wane / languish inside. The nonprofit's local mission was, in concept, exactly what I believed in (& had throughout my four-years of service), but the female Executive Director wasn't leading the org in line with any direction whatsoever from the 10-member Board. Hence, we essentially were her minions / yes-men / women. It was apparent throughout that everyone was perfectly fine with this hierarchy, and I was as well. Until I wasn't.
If you know anything about nonprofits, this is a backassward approach.
But this female would have no part in being swayed from her reigning perch. It was her way or the highway. I blithely chose the highway a few weeks back by resigning from the board.
Doing this made me feel empowered but also very sad for I really will miss supporting the mission of that local org. Yet, I won't miss this female. She represented for me, a concentrated dose, with zero listening skills.
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2. My middle daughter returned from studying abroad in Europe (Spring collegiate semester) last weekend. Ever since last fall, her plan therein was to waylay for a few weeks prior to departing for her "next big thing" (Summer '25 away from home). Not long after her arrival home, she approached me with the notion of cancelling her Summer '25 "next big thing" plans entirely, instead hoping to reside at home with her fam for the entirety of May, June & July.
Keep in mind that her "next big thing" Summer '25 away-from-home plan was duplicitous of what she did Summer '24 (which she enjoyed / benefited from greatly).
Multiple evenings were spent hashing out her desires / motives 'till I felt comfortable blessing her sentiency / maturity enough to position her standalone decision as fair / equitable.
I felt deeply indebted to my wife for allowing me to assist our daughter in navigating this ultimate decision.
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3. My mother relishes the opportunity to host meals at my parents' home. As such, every holiday / special event, it's her show (& has been for the past almost 30 years to the chagrin of my sweet wife).
A dinner birthday / homecoming (aforementioned study abroad grand/daughter) party was calendared (yet again, at her abode) a few weeks back for this past Friday night. The birthday girl was to be my 93-year-old grandmother.
As an aside, last fall, mom insisted on providing me with specifics on how her brother (my grandmother's primary caregiver) physically assaulted / threatened to kill her. She did this during our annual Thanksgiving meal (once again, at her home) while she and I were talking somewhat privately, and this disturbing commentary continued forward intermittently 'till I put my foot down. As you might imagine, I was livid (not only regarding what I was hearing but taking into account too the setting I was hearing of it within).
I have no siblings; therefore, I can't pretend to comprehend on any level how those relationships work. Nonetheless, I do know that every sibling relationship is unique and that the parents play a sizable modeling role therein as it pertains to the dynamic. I also know that females long for peace and by default, sweep an awful lot under the rug, for better or for worse, yet too desire to be heard, heard, heard.
But one thing you must know about my mother is this: she's my uncle's puppet and always has been. In fact, his own mother ('till she lost her ability to care for herself) was too. Like mother, like daughter, I suppose.
In essence, my uncle is a highly intelligent, articulate manipulator who's all around intimidating to boot.
Therefore, once I caught wind of my uncle's invitation to my grandmother's birthday party, I verbosely rescinded (last minute) me and my family's RSVP.
Verbosely: the use of too many words
Know this: this wasn't profanity. I simply solidly drove home my point.
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On the opposing side of this gender fun, I've been actively working towards obtaining proposals pertaining to some needed plumbing work at our small, 25-year-old abode. Having met with 1, 2, 3 plumbing company reps (males) over the past week and a half, I was reminded of how distinctly different men and women communicate / engage.
Nonetheless, I believe because I've been having so much female fun over the past few weeks, I've been hyper-observant / available emotionally - gender be damned! And this vulnerableness has ratcheted up in proportion to my female fun milestones.
And that's made this relatively simple task that much more exhausting (but holistically a bit fun as well).
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In closing, I'm just tired out. Lots of folks, women and otherwise have needed, expected, introduced themselves. Each with their own position, stance, temperature, outlook. As such, I'm reminded, no, been demanded to listen, react, observe intentionally. For they're so very different than men. Complex beyond belief. And that complexity can enliven us to be far better and more capable than we ever would be otherwise.
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