SWEET CHARITY


I have one Charity Case.

“Charity Cases” are those people who, despite some huge flaw (arrogance, vanity, ignorance) or problem (addiction, relationship, delusion) we take on as friends. Normally we would run - fast - to the nearest exit. As well we should. If I have one commitment in life, that would be to erase Drama from my life. Allowing someone into my life with a Big Red D on their forehead can only mean one thing : I have taken on a Charity Case.

My CC is a friend whose conversation is always about her “story”. She blah-blah-blahed thousands of years ago with some guy who was blah-blah-blah and years later, despite any logic, she blah-blah-blahs with him still. Been there, done that. To those of us on Planet Reality, this is an open and shut case : Some Guy is an asshole, he lost his chance and move on.

Yet, for whatever reason, we listen to our Charity Case. For me, the reason is practical. My CC is part of my Daily Activity and I listen so my DA is easily accomplished, taking on CC for purely selfish reasons. I feel guilty about it, I’ll admit. If I were a “True Friend”. I might tell her Shut Up and Get a Life. Move on, Sistah. Your Drama is about as interesting as watching my Eyebrow hair grow and to be honest, the Names have all blurred. You say “David” but I hear Blah-blah-blah, like teachers in Peanuts cartoons.

But I don’t. Instead she talks and I think about what I need to get at the grocery store. Whether Polly has peed or not. Does the pain in my chest mean I am having a heart attack or is it just gas?

Dear God -

Please keep me from being a Charity Case. Let me be a Crazy Old Man or a Grumpy Neighbor but please, please do not let me end up being a CC.

Thanks - Hugh



7:27:21 PM    sro home /