mom’s mini meltdown
I had another mini meltdown last night. It happens periodically, perhaps more periodically than I care to admit.
Let me preface this with the caveat that I am richly blessed with an abundance of social, spiritual and material support that makes this whinefest completely unjustified. But as I debriefed this episode with myself this morning (we–myself and I –do that quite often), I figured there might be a few of you who find comfort in the camaraderie.
As I went about my Monday, the following facts and thoughts spun around in my wee little brain:
- Our hot water heater quit, and my handy hubby spent all weekend trying to fix it (and a leaky toilet too)
- We might have to buy a new hot water heater (not on my list of home projects)
- Cold dishes, laundry, grime and discontent piled up around me
- The “spring forward” time adjustment did not spring me forward
- Someone needing info from me left several messages, but I couldn’t get around to it
- I’m hosting a big event soon, but haven’t spread the word like I should
- I haven’t been posting on my blog consistently, so the numbers are dropping
- Oh yeah, I have three kids who need me once in awhile
- My daughter asked why I never help with her class anymore
- I forgot to show up at my weekly library time for my son
- I left out a couple of big automatic deductions when “balancing” the checkbook
- I listen to pundits predict the demise of the U.S. auto industry, upon which my husband has staked his career
- Lenten commitments? What lenten commitments?
- Clearly I’m spread too thin
- I’m not doing anything well
- I felt like a failure as a mother, wife, writer and entrepreneur (ha!)
When I thought my dear hubby came home to rescue me, he went straight to fix the leaky toilet. The poor guy has had his face in the bowl for three days.
So what does a woman in such a state do? Yell at her husband, of course!
After I berated him for being a handy man (irrational, I know!), he did the most amazing thing. He didn’t try to fix me, which is often what happens in our house. This time, he listened, and he helped, and he said,
“Could you use a hug?”
So we hugged, and I cried, and now I feel so much better.
What a handy guy to have around.
You know whenever I come back from a big trip I am disoriented for weeks. Its like I can’t catch my breath and I can’t see how I will get back on track. A great breeding ground for doubts. So here are two thoughts – you have a wonderful husband who is clearly beyond just hubby – and – you are awesome – you just lost it in the chaos of coming back. You’ll find it again soon. Probably in the clean laundry…aloha…
Annie, thanks so much for the encouragement–and I love that you called him “beyond just hubby”. Aloha to you.
it’s always hard to adjust to coming off a vacation…and especially a glorious one. Add to that the ridiculousness of daylight savings time to double your jet lag! But what I love here is the ending. What a great husband! That made the whole meltdown, well, a refreshing read. Honest.
charrette’s last blog post..—And Don’t Tell Anyone You’re My Mother (she said sweetly)
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