The Circus Is Dying

Friday we attended the Shrine Circus with the family. It wasnt what I remembered. The last time we went was when I was pregnant with my son to the Ringling Bros Circus. That is a much more expensive show. It was a lot of fun and we bought a snowcone with a keepsake cup. This time I wanted to go because my son has never been and my daughter is getting older (we have gone to circus type shows at a fair with him previously, but that was it). As we walked in there was a gated section of protestor shouting things at us. Definite mood killer. We go inside, getting there early to get good seats. They had animal rides and entertainment. Everything was $10. I wanted to stick to a budget so I only brought $15 cash. I jokingly told my kids only 1 1/2 can ride the elephant. So we sat down and watched everyone else spend money. During the show they kept advertising their items for sale. This was a good opportunity to teach my son not to fall for all the hype that people try to trick you with. I have nothing against them raising money for charity, it just wasnt in my budget to do. My daughter knew the items were over priced, but she wanted a $5 snowcone. This did not come with a cup. I just compromised and said after we can go for ice cream to the Dairy Queen ($12 for four small items). The other disappointing part of the show was the lack of audience enthusiasm. The most excited they got was when they threw out free t-shirts. I know the show wasnt all that great and you can see more exciting videos on the internet, but come on people! You pay all this money for a show and you need to get into it!

What If?

Sometimes life can be a little foggy.

Today was well visit check ups for my children. On the form there was a survey, they asked questions about the stress level of the household. How did I feel about parenting? What stress me out the most?  But when I was answering this questions, it was hard to answer them truthfully really. I do have my bad days, but I have some good weeks too. If I answered them one way, would I get a visit from D.H.S. or do they do anything at all?

There was recently a news story where a young mother had killed her young son and then killed herself. She was going through a divorce and had some mental health issues. Would someone who really needed help answer this questions truthfully? Having their children taken away would be devastating, so wouldn't they put on a brave front for anyone who they think would report their household as unstable. I know when I was using W.I.C., they also had a survey. They asked how many people in the household, am I married, how close do I live to family. At the time I was single and had no family in the area, and when they told me I rated low, it was scary. I felt good about where I was in life until it was rated, not that they seemed too concerned at the time either. I want to do more for those who feel alone and stressed, but I know it is hard for them to ask for help. I know I have times where I feel down, and at the moment it is hard to see good times ahead, yet they always come. I'm sure there are times when you have lifted someone's spirits without even knowing it. I always try to find the best in others because it is hard to know everything about someone, and they could be really hurting. It doesn't have to take a lot of effort, maybe just a smile or a listening ear to help another person who is hurting on the inside.

Gray skies are going to clear up.