You're Not the Queen, You're the Joker

Yep! That's what my daughter said to me last night during a time-out.

"You're not the queen, you're the Joker!'

And by said, I mean screamed. While kicking her feet. This followed a string of exclamations including, "Why don't grown-ups have time-outs?" and "You're a mean person!" I heard all of these but the Joker stuck out.Why?Because for me, there is some truth to it. I am not a "Queen". I never have been, not even in my own house. I've met a few. We all have. And I have been both intrigued and put off by them. Jealous and repulsed.To me, a "Queen" is someone who is very clear on what they want and as a queen expects that everyone around her will facilitate that. Those who do, receive favor, and those who don't, well... don't. The wants. needs, and feelings of the others is secondary at best.I, on the other hand, am the "Joker". And not the cool, diabolical version portrayed by Jack Nicholson or Heath Ledger, but the guy with the bells on his cap. I know what I want (most of the time) but I don't feel entitled to come right out and say it. Like a court jester, I am so afraid of losing favor that I use wit or other round-the-bout ways of getting what I want. Or I just live with it.So this daughter of mine who made her off-hand but surprisingly deep comment, she's a princess. Full-on. And I think that's wonderful but what does a princess grow up to be? I don't want her to be the "Joker" but I am not sure that "Queen" is what I want for her, either. Are these the two options?What does the Jack do? Jack-of-all-Trades. Jack-O-Lantern. In the house that Jack built. Those sound pretty good. Well, maybe not the Jack-O-Lantern, but otherwise. These Jacks, they do things. Make what they want for themselves.So how about that? Princess Jack? Yeah, I could live with that. And think about all the fodder it will give me, the "Joker".P.S. 29 days and counting...

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QUEEN OF HEARTSJuice NewtonMidnight,and I'm a-waiting on the twelve-oh-fiveHoping it'll take me just a little farther down the lineMoonlight,you're just a heartache in disguise;Won't you keep my heart from breakingif it's only for a very short timeCHORUS:Playing with the queen of hearts,knowing it ain't really smartThe joker ain't the only foolwho'll do anything for youLaying out another lie,thinking 'bout a life of crimeThat's what I'll have to doto keep me away from youHoney, you know it makes you madWhy is everybody telling everybody what you have doneBaby, I know it makes you sadBut when they're handing out the heartachesyou know you got to have you someCHORUS:Lovers, I know you've had a fewBut hide your heart beneath the coversand tell 'em they're the only oneAnd others, they know just what I'm going throughAnd it's a-hard to be a lover when you say you're only in it for funPlaying with the queen of hearts,knowing it ain't really smartThe joker ain't the only fool who'll do anything for youCHORUSPlaying with the queen of hearts