Life Merit Badges

It will come to my readers as no surprise that life is tough.  Yes, I know in earlier blogs I have written about the joys of life and I still maintain the idea that the joys of life out weigh the heartaches 10 to 1.  So why is it that when the monsters come out to play they don't come one at a time, but rather 10 at a time?  We can all handle the washing machine going out on the day we got the big promotion.  But Noooooo, the washing machine goes out the day the care insurance and house insurance is due, the stock market crashes again practically cleaning out that savings account you were depending on badly for the car insurance, house insurance and the new roof that will now have to wait.  On top of that you haven't had a good nights sleep in weeks because you have to get up and change the sheets due to the night sweats and how the hell does the boss think you can handle another freaking responsibilty.  You get the idea.  Ever have one of those days, weeks, years???

Yet somehow we get through the crisis and make plans for better times.  We pick up the pieces of our broken hearts, broken lives, broken washing machine ....whatever and go on.  But shouldn't we get recognized for our courageous efforts?  Purely by chance I came across a web site selling Mama Merit Badges.  The badges are to acknowledge the work and often time unrecognized hardships mothers endure parenting.  The badges are embroidered cloth circles like the scouts use to honor the scout's accomplishments.  Funny thing about motherhood, the job doesn't end simply because the child has left the nest.  Now mother has this extended family to help along with PMS whose symptions have changed because Mom is now entering the realm of menopause.

So why not Life Merit Badges?  This is what I envision:

Empty Nest Badge:  The recipient would be required to have gotten their children through high school or college and into their first house or apartment.  Or perhaps got their last chick married and out of the house.  The recipient is now faced with the deafening quiet of a house that no longer has teenagers raiding the refrigerator and their comings and goings all hours of the day and night.  Wear this badge with pride, you've earned it.

Cancer Survivor Badge:  This recipient would be someone who has survived cancer.  Someone who has taken every test and treatment the doctors could throw at them and looked death in the face and wouldn't give up.  This person deserves a medal of honor but since the government doesn't recognize this type of heroism I give you the Cancer Survivor Badge.

Friendship Badge:  Friendship is a blessing.  It is a bond we developed along life's journey that gets all of us through some of our roughest times.  The recipient would be someone who stood by their friend when no one else believed in them.  Someone who made their friends feel special and needed like no other.  A friend who makes you smile.

60th Birthday Badge:  The name of this badge says it all.  This badge is for the recipient who has celebrated their 60th birthday.  For the person who yells &%8*%#, I'm a senior citizen.  So take your badge and proudly display it at McDonalds and get your 10% senior discount!

Menopause Badge:  The recipient of this badge would have graduated from the aggravating symptoms of PMS to the life changing symptoms of menopause.  Hooray, no more periods!  Good thing, right?  But no one told you about the nights sweats, the hot flashes, the mood swings and the forgetfulness.  They tell me it gets better.  I'm waiting.

Widow Badge:  For all those among us who have lost the love of their lives just when their lives were slowing down and they could enjoy that person's presence.  For those who cry themselves to sleep at night only to wake and find themselves still alone.  For those who walk outside into the sunshine and smile because they don't want to bring everyone around them down.  Be brave, be happy.  You have had what some only dream of.

Divorce Badge:  This badge is for those among us who loved not wisely.  For those who have taken the hard knocks of a rotten marriage and ran for the hills.  Ran to find a new life, a better life.  Ask any divorcee, some of the hardest times of their life was going through the divorce, not the marriage.  Wear this badge to show your fortitude, you deserve it.

Retirement Badge:  This badge is for those who have given up the daily grind of working for someone else and now living on a limited income.  It can be done, but it isn't as easy as it looks.  But look on the bright side, you no longer have a boss to answer to and there is more time to spend with the grandchildren.

Life is so full of ups and downs.  Sometimes you feel like Teddy Roosevelt and want to carry a big stick.  Be on guard for the next assault.   Take heart, "God's in His heaven and all's right with the world."