glitter and gravel

Being a single lady in 2012 is not all that easy.  It’s not all that hard, either. The problem seems to be that most people (women and men) don’t feel comfortable being single when all of our friends are paired off, or when society is throwing dating in our faces like a cream pie. Like, “Here! TAKE IT!”

And sure, some (dare I say most) of us want to find that special someone to feed us bacon while we swing away on a hammock. I’m a firm believer in the idea that if you want something bad enough, it will happen for you. Especially in the World of Love and Relationships. If you seek love, you will (indeed) find love; if you seek loneliness, you will find (yep, you guessed it) loneliness. I am convinced that finding that ONE person you want to spend your life with comes at a time when you least expect it. Timing can be cruel. I tell you that from my own personal experience. But you accept it. You take from it what you can and you move on.

No matter what our relationship status may be, our energies must be focused on being the best ME (YOU, I, US) that we can be—all of the time.

One of the things that really bothers me most about being single is the pressure from others to find someone to date. Don’t get me wrong. I want to be in a serious, committed relationship as much as anyone else, but when others are asking me when I’m going to get married, or if they can set me up on a date, I just want to punch them in the face (and I’m not usually a violent person). A few days ago my grandmother introduced me to someone by telling them my name, followed by “can you believe she is single?” Call me crazy, but I consider this way out of line. I might as well stamp a big “S-I-N-G-L-E” on my forehead.

I recently started going to movies by myself from time to time. Okay, I’ve only done it twice, but it was invigorating. The only downside was being asked “why did you do that? don’t you feel weird going alone???” My answer: no, not until you said that. I mean, should I feel weird about doing something independently?

I guess what I am trying to say is this: in a world where being single means going out, having someone new every night, doing the whole club/drinking/bar scene, it’s okay to just sit back and just…be.

Just wait. Because, timing, man. 

Toilet Seat Covers (or as I like to call you, “The Mighty Protector”),

     Thank you. Ever since I was a little girl, you have been one of my very best friends. You have cared for me and looked after me as if I was one of your very own. You have protected me from sickness; diseases like streptococcus, staphylococcus, E. coli,  hepatitis A virus, and the common cold virus have stood no chance against you. You have kept me safe from easily contracted STDs. You have saved me from urine that was left behind by careless young children and incompetent adult women (or urinal-shy men). I will admit I didn’t know how you would fit into my life at first. I didn’t know how I should use you to my benefit. But I soon figured out that you were, indeed, one of the greatest creations known to humans. I would also like to express my appreciation to your father, Daniel J. De Lay. Being raised in a single-parent home couldn’t have been easy for either of you. I know we won’t always be able to be together. From time to time  I am faced with circumstances which leave me without your protection—such as gas stations, hospital waiting rooms, and fast food joints—but know this: you are never far from my mind. Every time a little pee soaks through the toilet paper that I lay down to replace you, my heart aches for you. Thank you again.

                                                             Sincerely, Jessica Campbell