Remember the other day when I proclaimed to the whole world (okay, to my ten dedicated readers) that I had mastered how to say no and take time for myself. Well, I lied. At least more often than not when it comes to my kids, family, grandkids, and close friends. And last week, almost to the extended family members of a friend of my son whom I’d never even met.
Now when I think of it, my problem (or my absence of my problem) is probably due to proximity more than actually learning to take time for myself first. By proximity, I mean nearness to my kids. Maybe I never mastered the “No” answer. Maybe when I thought I’d finally acquired the ability, it was just that no one was home.
I’ve been in Utah for two weeks now, so I could blame my sister’s cancer and my altruistic desire to support her during this ordeal, but that would only be partially true. I’m actually nearer in proximity to my two sons.
Hot Wheelz' newly painted bedroom
In addition to crack-of-dawn hospital duty, I’ve grocery shopped (something unfamiliar to me since Couponman retired – by the way when did bread top 99¢ a loaf?), mowed a lawn, painted a bedroom and a kitchen, helped build a web page for Cheezy’s assignment, shampooed a carpet, cleaned a refrigerator, mended a torn shirt and sewed a button on a pair of shorts, and even gone on a walk with Bruce and Jack (my son Hot Wheelz’s dog AND the dog of the other son’s roommate) all while keeping up with work at the office remotely.
Then I get this call from Hot Wheelz. On a previous phone call, he’d already secured a parking space at my home during the time of a cruise for one of his friend’s family members. “Can you take the family to Long Beach (incidentally nearly an hour away from my home) port on the day of their cruise and drop them off?” And inside my head I’m thinking I’ll bet that means I have to pick them up when the cruise is over. I’m quick that way. Anyway, I moaned a little. I’m entitled.
I could sense Hot Wheelz was exasperated with my less-than-eager attitude. “Mom,” he continued, his voice more strained, “it’s no big deal. They’re really nice people.”
I wanted to say no, absolutely not. Instead I sighed, “What day and time?” He could tell I was on the fringe of caving.
He looked it up. The date conflicted with a grandkids outing we’d already booked. “I’ll be out of town,” I explained. See, I’m stronger than I thought. I said “no.” Well, kinda.
P.S. I LOVE helping my family, honest I do. I’m just tired.
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