Spring Oh Spring, won’t you come?
I’m not gonna lie: so far this year has been challenging. For all my wonder and excitement at my minions budding into mini-people, they are a lot of work and they require a lot of attention and care. This costs energy, people, a lot of it. Unfortunately so do a lot of other things. Forget work – those three days a week can be a lifesaver for those whose minds enjoy a more intellectual challenge than childcare. I am talking about those other things one needs to do in order to remain sane.
Things like tidying and cleaning one’s house, for example. If we don’t, the clutter closes in and suffocates us all.
Things also like thinking up meals for the days of the week. Don’t laugh! This requires brain space, especially if you’re not a kitchen wizard and I am most definitely not.
Things like realizing what else is going on in the world. That TV thing that used to show the news? It is now a not-particularly-pretty wall ornament that occasionally – but not very often – shows the wild adventures of Winnie the Pooh until the kiddies get bored with it after about 15 minutes and start playing their own games again. I read the short news clips on my iPhone by means of newspaper apps and that’s about it.
Things like self-care: skin, make-up, picking out clothes, trying to look a little more cared-for and –about than your average tired-out mom of twins. However, judging by the fabulous blogs on the interwebs, I am far less fabulous than your average twins mother. Hey, even though you can’t tell: I try. (Argh.)
Things like social life. Snort. What social life? For one thing, I am not much of a social butterfly anyway, being a bit introvert and overall too direct for most people anyway. (I said direct, not blunt or hurtful – there is a difference!) I am sincerely a nice person but my head often finds it difficult to keep up with other people. That is okay but when that head is also invaded by two little people demanding attention and practicalities… I’m lost.
— In other words: if you’re reading this because you’re wondering if I am still alive at all or if I just don’t care – I am and I do! I’m just easily swamped. Stick with me and I promise I am a very good and loyal pal. ♥ –
Things like growth. Sometimes it would be nice to branch out my life in new directions. That is challenging in the best of times but… Well, you get the picture.
In two days it will be Ash Wednesday, at the start of Lent. I am not religious at all, and certainly not in the Catholic tradition, but I am taking the opportunity to reflect and regroup. Spend some thoughts on my life and that of others around me about whom I care a great deal, reflect on my approach to them and the issues at hand, and concentrate on where I put my time and attention. Don’t worry though: this blog is one of the place where I like my time and attention to go. I like to write, and writing a blog is one of the easiest things I have ever done. I will not deny myself that pleasure.
♠
