Sigh...... Trailing spouse?

Well, things are settled to a basic schedule. I sat down at the computer this morning and realized that writing a post was something I had forgotten to add to the 'schedule'. I've been reading the news as usual, but there's nothing in particular I want to talk about. Frankly, I'm just so tired of and depressed by all the horror currently in the news. Yes, I have much to be thankful for. But wow, I hope there's some good stuff happening in the world that is newsworthy.

I have noticed a very strange phenomena living here. For those friends, buddies, and acquaintances who are moving away from here either by choice or because they are forced to do so due to job situation, they really dislike this place. They constantly trash-talk about where we live. For those who know they are here long-term because of choice/work situation, they are happy here. They talk about what they like about living here, or they just live and not say anything. It's extreme opposites. And what makes this so interesting? Well, I know people who are 'happy' here until they have to leave because of job loss etc. Then, the trash talk begins.

And thinking about trash-talk, how about a trash word? There's a term that I hear quite a bit - 'trailing spouse'. This term means that one spouse follows the other because of the work of the other. Usually, the wife is the 'trailing spouse' (but I have met one husband 'trailing spouse'). I've tried out this term a few times, but I don't like it. Yes, I moved here because of my husband's job, but that's just a tiny piece of the story. I also moved here to try something new, to have new experiences, to continue in a partner relationship with my spouse. I DO NOT feel like I'm trailing along behind my husband. If I worked full-time, there is no way I could make the income my husband does just because of the nature of my work. He's 'management'; I'm not. End of story. It makes sense in terms of the happiness/stress level of our family for me not to work full-time. Does that mean I'm 'trailing'? No, I don't think so. Does it mean I'm provided support and stability while the husband is providing income? Yes, totally.

Peace.