She's dead.

 

What a relief to the people of Munchkinland. The Wicked Witch of the East had been oppressing the Munchkins for as long as they could remember. But one well placed house, and whack! She was flattened. 

 

There are some WWE's that have been smashed in my marriage. They had their reign for a long time, but finally, almost suddenly it seems, they are gone. 

 

One was the Steamroller that made her appearance before parties. I did not actually wear black, and the broom stayed on the floor. But I was kinda witchy as the hour approached when guests would arrive.  It eventually hit me that if the price for a clean house and elegant table was shrieking at my husband and kids... it was too costly. Now I either entertain less, or allow people to see that we actually do have piles of laundry, and unwashed dishes in the sink. No one has fainted from the shock. One time I apologized mid-dinner for the seven sewing machines tucked around the perimeter of the dining room. 

 

Another WWE that has perished is the Tax Terror. We used to teeter on the verge of separation every April, as John's stress level around filing accelerated, matched by my defensiveness around not being able to find those VIPs (very important papers) We still file, and it is an unpleasant scramble to unearth the myriad bills, records and receipts. But we treat each other more tenderly, a little like hemophiliacs who could at a slight impact start bleeding profusely.  

 

I suppose we could declare it a National Holiday, as did the mayor of Munchkinland.  But there is still the Wicked Witch of the West to contend with.

 

 

Photo by Chara Odhner

www.caringformarriage.org