Thursday, March 19, 2009

Trading post

The world is a trading post, and every decision we make is a barter.

I am the smiling sort, and in exchange for 31 years of smiles, Life has given me plenty of fine (and not-so-fine) lines.

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I did a lot of reading as a child. In the trading post I took books, and in exchange Life took some of my eyesight. My prescription is strong enough to make me pretty useless without my glasses (or, usually, contact lenses.)

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Nine years ago I said "I do," and in exchange Life has given me a permanent callous on my left hand, just below my third finger.

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I experienced the exponential growth (and rapid deflation) of my abdomen twice in three years. In exchange for two pregnancies, Life gave me wrinkles and a few (now faded) stretch marks on my belly.

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Life, the proprietor of the Trading Post, has no idea that in all of these barters, I have gotten the best end of the deal.

21 comments:

Lyndsay said...

Love it Beth! Simply love it!

Sandra said...

Beth -- I think this is one of the best posts you have ever written (and you know I LOVE them all!)!

You are one smart cookie. I love your take on life. And, you are sooo good at expressing that "take" in words.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Beth, for reminding me of the wonderful things for which I have traded in some of myself. You are a woman wise beyond your years!

Sandra said...

Beth, I like this so much that I pointed readers from my blog toward it today. It's too good not to share. :)

Tia said...

I have 3 of the 4 of these. I have managed to keep my eyesight, even though I am a gigantic reader. Great post. Puts things in perspective!!

Butternut Squash said...

That's wonderful. You have a great attitude. Peace.

Call Me Cate said...

This is a great post. All of these "afflictions" are definitely worthwhile.

Heard by God said...

Beautiful, Beth!

and Beautiful Beth.

:o)

Isabella said...

Simply put - great post! :)

Dan Felstead said...

Great Post Beth....I choose you as today's winner...I should start a grass roots movement to vote for you. You probably don't want to vote for yourself so anyone else reading this post...echo your desire to vote for Beth on today's post!

Dan

H.K. said...

I loved reading this! The best post I've read today, & I've read alot!

Rebecca Woodhead said...

What a fab post. Oh no! ... My husband just walked in and caught me eating all the shortbread. Oops. Note to self...don't blog and eat. Better go. Great blog.

Isabella said...

P.S. I never knew where that left hand callous came from until your post today. Thank you for solving a mystery for me. :)

Annelie said...

I absolutely LOVE this post!
You are so fabulous!

Desert Grace Boutique said...

This is an awesome post. I love how you look at everything in such a positive light.

Our Scoop said...

Love this too!

C. Beth said...

Lyndsay--Thank you!

Sandra--You are such an encouragement!!

Anna L.--What a wonderful thing to say; thank you. :)

Tia--Wow, lucky you! The Engineer has perfect vision too. What a jerk. ;)

Butternut Squash--Thank you for reading and commenting!

Call Me Cate--Thank you. Yes, definitely worthwhile.

Danna--Oh, you are so sweet!

Isabella--Simply put - thanks. :) Oh, and that's funny about the callous!

Dan--Oh, you are so nice! Thank you! (But, no, I don't think I'll ever give myself a One-Minute Writing of the Day award.) :)

H.K.--Oh, wow, thanks!

Rebecca Woodhead--What a funny comment! Ha! Mmm, shortbread....

Snarky A.--Thank you!!

Desert Grace Boutique--Thank you so much, Grace!

Our Scoop--Thank you, friend!

Scriptor Senex said...

Wonderful post. As is so often the case your posting fills me with joy.

Heard by God said...

Beth, I don't know if you've caved to FB pressure yet, but I've just linked to this post on my status, just FYI.

C. Beth said...

Scriptor--I am so glad--thank you!

Danna--Actually I am on FB now. E-mail me at cbethblog (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll tell you how to find me! I couldn't seem to hunt you down there. :)

Mike said...

Wow! I found this post through your podcast. It's fantastic! (I love the commentary on the podcast episode + your dog ringing his bell!) The post is really simple, but it's so true and endearing in such an optimistic way. I love it! Congrats on a full life :)

Mike