Whenever I spend a chunk of time with my mom she says to me one of two things
you are working too hard
or
How is business? How are you managing financially?
They are completely opposite. It kind of cracks me up.
I can’t always tell which one is coming but it is always one or the other. That is what moms do- they watch you for all signs of balance. I do it with my own babes.
First you need to know that I really adore my mom. We are closer each passing year and have a mutual respect and admiration for each other. We have seen each other’s strength and power. And we have a ball together. This is all a supreme gift. I mean, SPECTACULAR.
But I knew which one was coming this time.
The last several months have been really over the top for me. I seem to be always in a hurry, always distracted, always juggling 6 balls at once and someone keeps tossing me another, always repeating myself because of the overload. I have not been able to relax or stop.I have tried to have coffee once a week with a different friend and have found it almost unbearable to take that tiny bit of time to be civilized. What does that say?
I want to achieve so much for myself and my family and can’t see how to do it without working like a maniac all the time.
So she said it
“you can’t keep working at this pace forever”
I looked at her like a piece of a puzzle was missing or a clue from a mystery left out.
“Mom, I don’t see another way. It is all up to me.”
Then she was quiet.
And me too.
But it wasn’t sad or anything. Just quiet.
“I learned it from you mom. It’s all up to you too.”
She couldn’t disagree.
Nancy
Thanks for your beautiful writing on struggling for balance. Yes it is up to you! And if you burn out what good will you be to your daughters? So glad you took a vacation to recharge and get some perspective!
You’ve obviously had a great teacher… and you come from good stock, woman. 😉