Most of the time it seems as if we are squeezing in the
personal in between our work obligations, but sometimes it is the other way
around – personal takes precedence. It’s been one of those weeks.
Between my granddaughter’s first day of summer and my elderly
mum having some medical and legal issues to take care, there hasn’t been a lot
of work going on this week.
And you know what? I have decided that rather than stressing
about it, it’s OK. I’m blessed to be self
employed and having the flexibility to manage my time and my work; we are a 2
income family and I’m not the only one paying the bills, in fact my hubby’s biz
is booming. I realize that not everyone has the luxury of taking the time to
take care of family when the need is there, or if they do, may face serious
financial and employment consequences. So I am feeling very grateful.
Grateful to have been able to spend the day with my
seven-year-old granddaughter reliving that magical feeling of the expansive freedom of the first day of
summer vacation, enjoying her day of skateboarding, monkey bars, puzzles and an
ice cream treat.
Grateful to spend this time with my mum, helping her though
the hurdles of aging, knowing that at 88, it’s really an unknown much time we
have left with her.
Work will always be there, but there are only so many first
days of summer vacation, and only so many days to walk the path with an aging
parent.
Just like a seesaw, sometimes one side is up, and sometimes
it’s down and rarely is it perfectly poised in the middle. And that seems to be
the way of things.
So here is my advice on a summer afternoon – trust your
heart to lead the way, and at the end of the day, you will find that right
balance.
