Response to my "Unknown" Friend

 In my comments, my friend who goes by "Unknown" asked me a question:

"Do you have a deep distaste for even the most necessary and helpful of confrontations?"

I can answer that I AM confrontation averse.  That is true.  But, I WILL confront folks when I feel that to do so is right, correct, and/or needed.  But, even in those situations, it DOES cause me significant worry and stress... even though I know I MUST do it, and NEED to do it.  

In regards to the situation with the reader at Mass..... there was absolutely no need for me to engage in confrontation with her.... as I was FINE with reading, but I was equally FINE not reading that vocal passage.  It truthfully did not matter to me.  

It DID matter to Father.  I can understand his reasoning, but in reality, over the many years I have been lector, there have been MANY times where the reader was of a different gender than the biblical character who was "speaking".  So, for me.... there was NO benefit to be confrontational with this other reader.  She is actually a very nice person.  She just has a trait that is a bit bossy at times, and that is widely known across the Parish.  

So, I was fine with reading, and fine with not reading.  I was NOT needing to be confrontational for something that was not my edict. 

* * * 

As far as the person I do not mention..... most of the interactions I DO have are on the "confrontational" side as I am attempting to get this person to think logically about some damn critically important things.  It is enormously taxing on me, though, and after each interaction, I am completely emotionally drained and physically drained as well.  But, again, I do not get into any specifics here any longer.

* * * 

Other updates:

• Still running as usual.  Hit my 50 mile plus (~81km plus) goal this morning, so I can take two days off.
• BIL was discharged without any endoscopy (neither upper nor lower) like he should have had.  The hospital said they did not want to do the endoscopy because he was found to have norovirus.  There is no reason to avoid endoscopic examinations due to norovirus.  I think they did not have a bed (due to nurse shortages) as he was in the ER observation the whole time.  I am anticipating he likely will have further bleeding and/or a redevelopment of pain and will likely be back in the ER this weekend.
• SIL had a reasonably good report at her doctor.  The doctor is planning to keep the amputation stitches on for at least two more weeks, but fortunately the wound has no sign of infection.
• MIL seems fine now related to Covid, so that is good.   
• I feel like a robot.  I do not seem to have any opportunity to NOT be doing something that someone else needs.  I guess my run at 6am every weekday morning is "for me" but, the rest of the day.... not so much at least the last several weeks.  It is wearing me down mentally and emotionally.
• I have to fly to Des Moines at the end of next week.   

PipeTobacco