I was so tired of the long days.
Long days of endless meetings and problems at work. Piles of dirty dishes to clean. Again. Laundry to fold and dinner to make and homework to supervise. I couldn’t help being annoyed with the constant vying for my attention to play and talk and help. “Can’t they see I’m busy?” Just trying to get through this forever day, trying to make it to that blissful quiet that only occurs post bedtime. Such long days.
And then my daughter turned four and I couldn’t believe it. How was she four already? Where had time gone? And I realised it had flown by while I was checking my watch to see how much longer I had to keep building a block tower. It had fled while I was sneaking a glance at my emails while pretending to watch my son’s magic tricks. My refrain of “I’ll be there in just a minute,” which was never REALLY just a minute, had added up without me noticing.
So now I’m trying to slow time down and make the days long- but in a different way.
I’m powering down the computer after work, putting away the phone, and trying to stretch out the daily moments. I’m giving the boo-boos that require kisses my full attention. I’m embracing my superhero character in our evening pretend play. We’re playing soccer in the living room and having dance parties in the kitchen. I’m giving and receiving long hugs and I’m taking the time to just enjoy my husband and children.
I’m not always successful- the chores still call out to be done and my energy often wanes. But I’m trying. And I’ve discovered that my son enjoys helping make dinner and my daughter likes to “assist” with the laundry. I don’t need to do it all on my own and those are special moments of togetherness too (even if it does take twice as long!)
I still savour the rare quiet and embrace the adult time after the kids go to bed. But the days, more often than not, feel long now because of MY choosing.
And that makes all the difference.
