I’ve been thinking but not writing about the concept of irony. Mainly, because I believe I’m supposed to read a new book that just came out called, “The Map: Finding the Magic and Meaning in the Story of Your Life" by Colette Baron-Reid. But, feeling as if I've left an idea dangling out there, thought I’d better try to write something in the meantime.
This one is hard, partly because the idea is complex and partly because I’ll have to go deep to explore it. So, decided to ease in to start. Here goes....
Life is ironic on purpose.
Let’s take the example of the number 3. I am the oldest of three children. We were a family of 5 which meant that someone was always the odd man out. Always. Amusement park rides, table settings, you name it – we were always one short or one too many. I’m providing what seems like a trivial example, but the dynamic of 3 was frustrating for me. There is truth to that saying “Three’s a crowd.” I swore that when I had a family of my own, I would have an even number of children, either two or four but NEVER three!
So what happens?! I end up with one child resulting in a family of three! Odd for a lifetime!! Having mostly friends with two children, we are constantly dealing with the threesome play date. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s always something to consider. This may seem inconsequential, but circumnavigating life around the number three can be tricky. When I was a kid, my response was to withdraw. As an adult, I am faced yet again with this challenge. But if I disengage like I did when I was younger, there is much to lose.
Somehow we’ve made the threesome family work. My husband, daughter and I are in constant motion to keep the balance. Everyone gets a turn at being a pair. When we’re all together, the triangle becomes a circle, expanding and contracting its sides to avoid sharp corners. The threesome has become a ring.
As far as Leilani’s friendships, this is something she will have to work out, learning to get along with siblings, making room for them in her play. She’s done this with a few of her relationships, but can continue to develop a dynamic that is comfortable for everyone. As she gets older, I suspect it will become easier and less of an issue. For me as mom, I just have to go with the flow, rather than try to control it. Just let things be.
Rather than curse the number 3, what else can I do but embrace it?! Make the best of it. Make it work. Something I fought all growing up, would serve itself up as a lesson later in life. Once I recognized and acknowledged the irony, things more or less fell into place. The ink spot faded, becoming less noticeable. I’m finding out that once you’ve discovered and resolved a life lesson, you’re done – time to move forward and take on something else.
Look for the irony in your life – there’s a lesson just around the corner!
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