Either you know what Catholic Guilt is or you don't. If you do, I am sorry (see!).
This week was a doozy. The most prevalent guilt I experience is the single mom guilt. Whenever I have to work late, have after work functions, or want to hang out with my friends...guilt. I know my teenage daughter is fine, but as an only child, I hate leaving her alone for a long time. She is very social and usually is with friends or cousins when I am out in the evening. She is having fun and most likely happy that mom is out and they have the house to themselves. But still, it gnaws at my conscience. Does it matter if I get home at 10:30 or midnight? Not really...Ugh!
This economy has spawned a new kind of survivor guilt when I still have a job and so many friends/family/co-workers have been laid off. And that guilt also includes the bad karma I must have sent into the world about co-workers I complained about who now do not have a job. Again, ugh!
And don't even get me started on when I miss a family event or church...I think my mom is at the root of that. The conversation usually goes something like this -
"Are you going to ____"
"Ah, no, I am not"
"Why"
"I am busy with work, we have a hockey game, I need to do laundry, have to go grocery shopping, get the recycling out, dye my hair..."
"Well, I used to do laundry every day for 8 people"
"That's great Mom, but I am not home during the day to get all that done"
"I did shopping on Monday, baking on Tuesday, ironing on Wednesday- which no one seems to do anymore..."
"Ok, Mom, I got to go. have fun!"
Ok, I better go to bed so I get get up in time for 7 am mass...
