Someone to complain about ( Archived) (20)

I have 2 very close women friends here in Greece who are both single, as I am. Single, but one has a boyfriend and the other did have, until just 2 nights ago. I am the older of the 3 of us (I am 52, one friend is 45, and the other is 36), and they both tend to turn to me for advice and for an ever-present shoulder to lean on, etc. I love my friends, I truly do....but there is one thing that I would like to change, if only I could. This year...2008...I would love to have a man in my life to complain about!! Both of my friends seem to have so many ups and downs in their relationships and so much angst and anguish and they constantly unload their frustrations and fears on me. I am their friend and I really am glad that they turn to me; I don't mean to imply that I wish they would stop. It's just that I ran out of new answers or advice a long time ago; I tell them what I truly think, when asked, or I tell them that I just don't have the kind of answers they seek because the answers must come from within them, ultimately. But I know that if they continue with the relationships that they are in or, in the case of the one whose relationship just ended, if she continues her pattern of choices, 2008 will bring many more days and nights of me trying to console them or just listening to them as they express their frustrations and doubts. OK...I know this is selfish of me, but I can't help myself...this year, I want to have a man in my life so that I can turn to them for a change! I want someone to complain about! They see me as the strong one. I'm not so sure this is accurate; I just make different choices than they do, even if the choice is to be alone (rather than to settle for less than what I want). But it just gets tiring sometimes...always being the rock or the shoulder or the voice of reason (occasionally, anyway). Yes, I'm being selfish. I love my friends, but I need a break from absorbing their woes. Just once in awhile, it would be so nice to turn to them and complain about the love in MY life!
OK, so this was mainly a vent...but does anyone else feel that they are often the recipient of the trials and tribulations of other people's relationship issues? And, if so, doesn't it become tiresome at times, even if you truly love your friends?

Isn't it easier to listen to your friends complain and to give them advice than it would be to actually have to live through all the crap that they are complaining about?

Easy, yes, but often draining. But, as I said, I'm mainly just venting.

I'd love to be the once removed (man in your life by proxy) guy that you can complain about to your friends. I have a few bad habits, but for your sake, I could certainly come up with a few more. Then you can get on the phone with your friends and....."Oh, that stupid jerk, you wouldn't believe what he just said to me.....etc., etc." I am here to serve in the worst way possible.

Lol......

If they tend to complain about the same issues over and over, just tell them that if nothing changes, nothing changes and complaining to you isn't changing anything.

And as I have mentioned before, you will have no problem melting any mans heart whenever you choose to do so.