And I’m not the girl that I intend to be
But I dare you, darlin’, just you wait and see
But this time not for you, but just for me
- Gonna Get Over You, Sara Bareilles, Kaleidoscope Heart, 2010
Thank you, Dick, for these things.
I thank you, Dick, for never helping with the taxes. When you left, it changed nothing in my taxes and in fact, since I didn’t have to rely on you to provide me with your receipts, I got my refund well before I would have usually even sent them in.
I thank you, Dick, for never paying for any of the pet needs. When you left, my costs didn’t change at all, except of course that I bought myself a little cat and she has expensive tastes.
I thank you, Dick, for being unemployed four times during our relationship. And thanks for never supporting me in quitting my government-unionized job. When you left, I had 15 years of seniority in a job with good wages and benefits. I can’t imagine where I would be if I had not been the reliable wage earner or had ever quit when burnt out.
I thank you Dick, for never keeping up with the house maintenance. When you left, I was already somewhat confident in making simple fixes around the house. I know what I can do and I know when to hire someone else.
I thank you, Dick, for never completing half the housework, even when you were unemployed. When you left, your hoarding mess left with you and my house has been remarkably easy to care for.
I thank you, Dick, for allowing me to do all the work to maintain a relationship with your sisters. When you left, they knew if wasn’t my fault and promised that we were still family.
I am a strong woman because of my own choices but thank you, Dick, for ensuring I knew how to take care of myself before you left.
