July 29, 2011 – Swimming

It’s been an overwhelming week.   Lots of unexpected added to an already bursting at the seams to do list.   I’ve been doing it solo as my husband had to leave town (Disclaimer:  he’s back now too, just in case there’s creepers out there in the internet world… he’s back in the house and in case you doubt this, know I have two tasers, police grade mace with a 90 foot range, an 80 pound dog and 2 shotguns.)  Just so you know.   Oops.  Back to Peace of Mind.  Because for a moment there, you saw a little MFP and ‘she’ rarely makes appearances here. ;)

It’s been an overwhelming week and he has been gone.   I’ve had the kids on my own, construction work in the home, a work schedule of my own, appointments to keep, no babysitters, etc.   Not to mention my son refused to urinate for the first 3-4 hours of his daddy’s absence in protest.   And my daughter slept on top of me just about the entire time he was gone due to mysterious ‘spider bites’ developing on her torso.  Even the dog, who is usually a general fool anyway upped her ante.  I found her twice today standing, all 80 pounds on top of the outdoor glass table, barking into the sky at who knows what.  

It’s. been. an. overwhelming. week.

We walked into get some dinner tonight and I looked at my kids following alongside of me.  Neither have been bathed in 3 days.   (I’m an everyday- you –must- bathe -kind of parent)  I looked at my daughter.   Her forehead has a golf ball sized bruise, rainbow in color, she’s missing a front tooth and she was chewing on the side of her hair, which looked as though it may be starting to dreadlock.   (I’m usually a let’s have coordinating hair ties to dress to shoes kind of parent)   My son was sitting on the asphalt of a parking lot whining and waiting for me to lift him.

I began to laugh.  

Look at us, guys!   What would your daddy say?    Well, I’m sure he’d just have to understand that we’re doing all we can to keep our head above water here this week, don’t you think?

My daughter, who is far older than her barely 7 years and far smarter than me, took her hair out of her mouth and smiled.

What are you talking about, mommy?   There’s no water here and we don’t have to keep our heads above it.   Heck, we’re not even swimming!

Sure, she’s a kid and she was taking my words literally and being funny.   But her point resonated far deeper within me.

We’re not even swimming.

She’s right.   Perspective.   Our life is fine.  Fabulous even.   I’ve had friends helping, a roof over my head, extra money to take them to dinner, healthy babies curled around me each night, a wonderful husband returning safe and sound and sunshine filling my days.

We’re not even swimming.

That’s the truth.  Absolutely.

~K