Moose Mug Irony and Other Points to Ponder

“Quotation is a serviceable substitute for wit.” ~ Oscar Wilde

Once when I was on vacation in Lake Tahoe, I decided to spend my hard-earned money in the best way possible, by entering a tourist trap gift shop and buying myself a set of four moose mugs. I’m not talking about the clear glass moose mugs like in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. (“Is your house on fire, Clark?” “No, Aunt Bethany, those are the Christmas lights.”) These mugs were tall, mustard yellow and had big moose silhouettes in black, very Lake Tahoe. [insert ironic tone] I had to have them. I just LOVE irony, plus anything that helps me tell a story. 🙂 As it turns out, life is full of ironic twists and turns, worst case scenarios, and don’t-try-this-at-home moments.

When you become a parent, you find out many ironic things about people. I was a perfect parent, once upon a time, in my dreams, before I became a parent. You know the type? Yeah, well I’m sorry. When we have a situation we are usually much more understanding toward others facing the same situation. When we have no idea what we are talking about, we sure have a lot to say, don’t we? Ours is ALWAYS a special circumstance, explanation, convenient reason…….everyone else has NO excuse. I’ve had my share of “special circumstances”. It’s easy to fall back on these as reasons why we can’t. Sooner or later though, we will meet someone with enormous obstacles and serious life challenges, and this person will be more than a survivor. This person will succeed spectacularly and make us feel like whiny schmoes.

There is the irony of the people who walk the red carpet and have more than a lot of people would ever dream of having, but live such dreadfully unhappy lives. Others with maybe not as much in the way of worldly possessions feel rich in friends and family and the simple joys of being alive. Our family has been hit quite hard along with many others during these financial adjustment times. We’ve had to live with friends and family. This week, I am sleeping in my own bed and using my own dresser, which I haven’t been able to do in over a year and a half. We also finally have our own washer and dryer. I am feeling very thankful as I listen to the swishing and tumbling of these machines, look out my own kitchen window, or lay the baby down to nap (safely bolstered with pillows) on my own bed. Household chores might be a source of stress for some, but for those without a home of their own, having their own floor to sweep is indeed a blessing.

The childless long for noses to wipe and diapers to change. Orphans long for parents to tell them what to do and get in their business and care. Those battling cancer see yet another birthday as a celebration of life and not something to dread. Irony, it turns out, is everywhere. With the proper perspective, however, we can all see things in a more positive, if ironic, light.