Normally, anything that happens in this small town spreads like wildfire and everyone in the village and countryside has heard some version of the story within a couple days.
Strangely, my life is usually not like that. Apparently I have an incredibly private life and people rarely dare ask me any questions about my personal doings. I have been separated from my ex-husband for about three years now...and incredibly allot of people in this town still don't know it. It really confuses me. I haven't tried to hide it, we live in different houses, have different mailing addresses and are never seen together. You would think people would get the hint. Still every now and then I get asked a question that I'm not sure how to answer. Case and point, the other day I was in our tiny Post Office to get my mail. To give you an idea of how small our town is, my PO box number is less than thirty and the hallway that holds all the boxes is about twelve feet long. Anyhow, in comes this guy I have known forever. He was my mechanic for a long time and I think I may still owe him some money, but I can't remember for sure and he doesn't bring it up so I'm letting it slide for now.
He says to me, "Hows your family?" I think of my partner and daughter and I say with a smile, "We are all doing fine." But, after I thought about it for a little bit I realized, this guy is probably asking me about my ex and daughter because if he knew the real story he would of given me a sermon instead of a pleasantry. He is possibly the most catholic catholic person I have ever known; he goes to mass every single morning and has about twelve kids and counting. He is also very well known for sharing his opinion with anyone who wants it or not. Anyhow, this has nothing to do with my work or my plan or anything of importance, but aren't you glad I shared it with you!
Strangely, my life is usually not like that. Apparently I have an incredibly private life and people rarely dare ask me any questions about my personal doings. I have been separated from my ex-husband for about three years now...and incredibly allot of people in this town still don't know it. It really confuses me. I haven't tried to hide it, we live in different houses, have different mailing addresses and are never seen together. You would think people would get the hint. Still every now and then I get asked a question that I'm not sure how to answer. Case and point, the other day I was in our tiny Post Office to get my mail. To give you an idea of how small our town is, my PO box number is less than thirty and the hallway that holds all the boxes is about twelve feet long. Anyhow, in comes this guy I have known forever. He was my mechanic for a long time and I think I may still owe him some money, but I can't remember for sure and he doesn't bring it up so I'm letting it slide for now.
He says to me, "Hows your family?" I think of my partner and daughter and I say with a smile, "We are all doing fine." But, after I thought about it for a little bit I realized, this guy is probably asking me about my ex and daughter because if he knew the real story he would of given me a sermon instead of a pleasantry. He is possibly the most catholic catholic person I have ever known; he goes to mass every single morning and has about twelve kids and counting. He is also very well known for sharing his opinion with anyone who wants it or not. Anyhow, this has nothing to do with my work or my plan or anything of importance, but aren't you glad I shared it with you!
I am GLAD you shared this. It's tough, because once people get used to you as being a part of "you-and-so-and-so," it's hard for them to realize that so-and-so may not be around any longer. I've had friends that I have known for years like, "Bill and Gladys." But after 8 years together, they broke up. They're not "Bill and Gladys" any more. They are Bill and Gladys: two separate individuals.
ReplyDeleteYou're in a tough spot being in such a small town where gosp spreads like wildfire. But I can't help but wonder if part of the reason people still think you're with your ex is because your new life is something that is so foreign to them that those who know are keeping their mouths shut for fear of spreading the work of the devil, so to speak.
Not that there is ANYTHING wrong with your new family, but some conservative people view us in the GLBT community as...Well, let's just say "bad people."
Enjoy what privacy you do have. It's a rarity in this day and age, and clearly in your environment as well. Just continue to live your life and be happy. Who cares what other people are talking about, anyway?