I love working from home because it is so wonderful to be flexible. I can be home with my family. I can get the housework done when I take breaks. But it has its drawbacks as well. Too many interruptions. People often think you are not working, that you are free to take on other responsibilities. And as my health as been improving, I am taking on more and more. It feels good to have the old energy back, not be in constant pain, be able to do more ... but I was unprepared this week for sick children and strange school schedules. I wish we could simply have the week off.
Thankfully, this week is almost over and my son, who could barely speak is now talking back. It's not Strep, just some viral thing which will take its own course. He's catching up on homework, as I write this. My student lessons are corrected. My family is fed, watered, walked and brushed. I've been staying up very late to write and I'm feeling the strain but I get so much pleasure from working on my book.
The end of January also brings on the cyclic grief over the death of my mother. It's been 25 years and surely she's in heaven by now, but when I look back to those dark, dark days, I know I felt sorry only for myself and for not having loved her enough. The saddest part is that I don't remember praying for her soul, even at her funeral. Watching someone you love die makes your heart ache, yet it is oddly beautiful. Peace radiated from her face as she let go of earthly attachments and started looking toward the Kingdom of God. She spoke of her own father and my older brother, who had died many years prior, and I wondered if they were waiting to receive her and lead her up to stand before God. I could imagine Him saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Best of all, my husband found this wonderful link for Archbishop Fulton Sheen's transcripts for Life is Worth Living. He is a charismatic speaker. We let the kids pick a topic (you have to scroll down to see the list), snuggle with our pets by the fireplace after supper and listen. Of course, nothing can replace a book, but what wealth on the Internet.
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7 comments:
I am so very glad you are on the mend, my friend. (oooh! A rhyme!) :)
Wacky weeks often result in blessings we would never have imagined. I pray this is the result of your wild week!
hugs,
Donna
What a blessed way to spend an evening. And sounds like you're burning the midnight oil on your novel, too! Here's to next week being a little less wacky.
I'm happy to know you're feeling so much better! I know several people who've gotten the crud, my sister included and have just had to ride it out.
No doubt your mama is where she's supposed to be. Perhaps my mom and her are comparing notes about their darlings.
I've got the exact same thing today: a Japanese lesson to prepare, a translating/rewriting project to consult over, and now a sick girl home from school with a stomach bug -- and the joy of looking at my manuscript when I've dealt with everything else.
My mother will have been gone for 30 years this spring. "Well done, good and faithful servant" was one of her favorite sayings at the end of a long, hard day.
"My family is fed, watered, walked and brushed" -- that made me laugh out loud! I'm so glad you're feeling better again.
Donna, you're the poet! Yes, wacky weeks bring their own blessings -- I definitely got extra time with my family. I just wish they'd cancel school instead of having these ridiculous half days.
Marcia, baseball season will start in a month or so and we'll be busy, so I'm soaking this up now. I somehow get energy to stay up late and I meet my goal. I'll pay the price today as the wackiness continues.
Bish, I think that too sometimes! Our mothers, our aunts laughing and eating mangoes. Heaven always has a plate of mangoes, and God's shining glory.
Mary, I can imagine your mom is joining ours as well in saying, Look at our girls, all grown up! And looks like you're following in her footsteps. I hope your daughter gets better soon.
Here's to getting all our work done here with love.
Great to know that you are consoling your mind about your mother Vijaya. That's the toughest things to let go and you've bloomed beautifully :-) Your mom would be so happy for who you are today.
Sending my prayers and wishes to you.
Best,
Suma.
Suma, thank you. I think she'll be pleased with whom I've become today. Hugs.
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