Today’s Bit of Advice is….
“Just keep pushing through”
As a mother of three children, a wife of one husband, a teacher of many, a volunteer for much, and a woman with at least fourteen jobs, I know the meaning of being tired. Every morning when I hear the dreaded alarm clock I am shocked to realize that another day has begun so quickly after the last. But my schedule is always full and I know that I have to keep moving so up I get.
But there are times when I really feel like I don’t have another ounce of energy. And times when I think the projects before me require more than I have available to give. It is at those times when I have to just keep pushing through.
If I took the time to do the things I really wanted to do, the things I have to do would never get done. I would really like to read books, make a quilt, write a novel, exercise, watch mindless TV, drive around and photograph the countryside. But I have “real work” to do. This week I had one child miss school on Monday for fever and another who came home at 11:00 on Friday day for the same thing. Caring for sick children is “real work”. Yesterday we had a First Communion mass and celebration for middle child. Making the day one to remember for a lifetime was “real work”. My in-laws are visiting and they love staying at our “B&B”. They don’t travel much and deserve to be treated well. My efforts to host them are “real work”.
Doing my “real work” makes me tired. But I have to keep pushing through.
This week I am chairing a huge fundraiser for the local school. I got the job because I came up with the idea when all other ideas failed. If you are going to share an idea, you have to be prepared to be given the job. I know the day will be splendid – I have the support and help of wonderful teachers and parents. But my evenings will be long in preparations, my nights will be filled with anxious dreams, and my days will be full of work. This is “real work” I’m doing that will benefit the 215 children who attend this special school. So what if I get tired? I can nap next week. Maybe. In the meantime, I’ll just keep pushing through.
I know there will come a day when my children are grown and no longer need my thermometer or fundraising skills. I’ll retire from teaching and my principal will hire a new music teacher to take my spot. My in-laws will live in a new dimension where every day is like staying at a special B&B. I’ll have time to read books, make quilts, write a novel, exercise, watch mindless TV, and photograph the countryside. I just hope I can fit all that in between my volunteering, helping others, and showing hospitality to my children and grandchildren. Hmmmm….maybe “real work” doesn’t take a retirement after all.
I guess I’ll just keep pushing through.
Hope you enjoyed the read.
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