R is for...

Rebellion

I've been hung up on my R word for awhile. I couldn't think of anything that sounded particularly interesting. I thought about doing Rebellion earlier, but I just didn't have the motivation to do it. Then, people started asking when my R-post was going to appear. Ironically, as soon as I started getting asked about it, the more rebellious I got about putting the time into putting one together. Yes. This is how my childish mind works...

I credit my rebellious nature to my mom. She is a incredibly strong independent woman that will most likely tell you exactly how she feels about something or someone. The doesn't conform to ANYONES standards and often goes against those standards just to prove that she can.

When I was single, I used this rebellious nature to my own amusement more then I should have. I got sick of the rude questions about when I was going to get married, so I would respond with my own rudeness. I have an aunt in particular that I would play this game with sometimes suggesting that I preferred women instead of men with my dry sarcastic way that she never could tell if I was serious or not. Or I would tell her that I hate kids anyway so why would I ever get married and bring more brats into this world. It's mean, I know. But, she is always incredibly rude with her comments and I just couldn't bring myself to do what Jesus would do.

Another one of these incidents was with some old family friends that we used to attend church with. I was sitting next to them at my grandparents' 50th anniversary party and they started in on the marriage questions. I was feeling particular feisty that day...

Them: "So, Andrea, do you have anyone 'special' in your life at the moment?"
Me: "Actually, I do! We're actually living together right now."
Them: *blink blink* "Really?!? Andrea...."
Me: "Yeah. He's also black."
Them: ...
Me: "His name is Cache. And he sleeps in my bed with me most nights."

Now, I'm not totally cruel. Before anyone keeled over with a heart attack, I quickly told them that I was talking not about a human, but about a dog. It was quick suffering, I swear.

I often get tired of my inherited need to rebel. Why can't I just go with the flow and be happy? And mostly, I can. But, it's my rebellious nature that also helps me stand up for what I believe in. It helps me speak with honesty in times when I feel it's the most important. And in times when it gets me in trouble, I just blame it on my mother.