Responsibilities

What an awful word.  What can you make out of that?  Fun?  Excitement?  The makings for either word aren't usually included in the  emotional baggage that often accompanies such a hefty group of letters.  Especially when "family" is attached to it.  Today I briefly weighed "Dad's birthday party" (with all siblings and their families) vs. what promises to be a fun motorcycle event in the coming weekend.  Aah...the temptation weighed heavily for a second.  I explained the conflict to my usually less level-headed spouse, expecting a sigh of resignation that we really should go to the family event.  To my surprise, and without hesitation, he said it was no problem.  There will be other rides to go on.  There I was, listening to the unwavering voice of responsibility coming from the man who put "fun" back to the front of the line in my life.  He sat there smiling and thoughts began racing through my mind-we're talking about "my family".   Most of the men in my family, the in-law ones and exes, have a history of avoiding such activities.  Could he actually be thinking that this may be an enjoyable event, at least one that would be tolerable?  Or is he doing this because it's the "responsible" thing to do?  Either way, it says a lot for this guy I married a little over a year ago.  He gave me the nudge I needed to do what was right, despite the temptation to do otherwise, and the OK to not feel guilty about it.  Cool.  Another reminder that I got it right this time.