Pay Attention, Please

         Last year, while at our local library, I ran into a mother whose children attend the same school as Lu. Though we saw each other daily we had not previously struck up a conversation. We did on this day. We talked about a variety of subjects, what grades our children were in (hers were a year ahead of Lucy), who they had as teachers (the one detail I can’t remember from the conversation), where we lived (she happens to live not 5 minutes from me), how long it took us to get our children to school in the morning (25-30 minutes) and which route we took to and from the school (she followed the main roads, I favored the back roads). We talked for 15-20 minutes before our children began to demand our attention and pull us in different directions. Throughout the rest of the year, I saw this woman every afternoon at pick-up. We often exchanged pleasantries and talked about how the year was progressing. The end of school saw Jody, the girls, and I traveling north for the summer and the end of our conversations.

            However, we struck up our daily acquaintance again at the beginning of this school year, nothing more than exchanging pleasantries but still small conversations. About a month ago, she began a conversation with me about Lily and her growth over the last year. We then began talking about IB middle schools in the area (there are only two), which led to her once again asking me where I live. I was taken aback, as she continued to ask many of the same questions she asked me a year ago at the library. At first, I simply felt like I was having a déjà vu. However, as I shuffled the girls into the car and began to drive home, I became more and more annoyed by the situation. Did this woman have such a short-term memory that she didn’t remember our conversation? Does she simply talk to so many people that remembering my details were impossible? Or was this an indication of something else, something inherent in our society, a lack of caring for other people and their situations? An egocentrism?

            This incident bothered me. However, I was able to brush it off because this woman is an acquaintance at best. Not two weeks later, I was texting a friend that I hadn’t talked to in awhile but keep in touch with through Facebook. The conversation began as most conversations among friends, with us asking each other how things were going and what was new. It then progressed into more specifics. I began to discuss the challenges of taking care of a child with diabetes and my desire to move. To my dismay, my friend asked me which of my children has diabetes, and where we are now living. I was shocked.  How could this friend, whom I adore, and was so close to at one point in time, know so little about my family and life, especially when I post so frequently to Facebook? I tried to excuse my friend’s lack of knowledge by telling myself that she/he had a family and a life too, one thousands of miles from me, but, honestly, I was pissed.

            I pride myself on learning names and retaining information regarding the individuals I meet, especially information regarding my friends. I am not perfect. I don’t always remember every detail, but my memory can often be easily refreshed. Whether this is a learned or inherent skill I am unsure, and I question whether others have simply not learned to pay attention to individual details, if it simply isn’t inherent in their personality, or if they simply don’t care enough to pay attention. I want to believe that others care but simply lack the skills. However, my interactions with individuals often have me questioning this theory. The only thing I do know for sure is that when I have interactions like the two described above I feel angry, sad, and discouraged. So the next time you are talking to someone, whether you will see them again or not, pay attention, you never know when those details may come in handy and make someone feel as if they are cared for.

Struggling

I’m struggling this morning. Struggling to move. Struggling to find motivation. Struggling not to cry. I’m simply struggling.

            Knowing why I am in this place would be helpful. However, I myself am at a loss as to why I am struggling so terribly this morning. Maybe it is once again the grueling routine of school after a long break or it could be the burden of a messy house and never-ending laundry. Maybe it is just this overwhelming feeling of being alone with a pile of responsibilities I don’t want to face. Whatever it is, I am having a hard time lifting myself up, both physically and mentally.

            I made myself a Chai Tea Latte this morning in the attempt to cheer myself up, this usually does the trick; however, today it was ineffective. I decided to get out of the house for a bit, running errands at Office Depot and Target in order to distract myself, again, ineffective. I even ordered myself a Smoked Butterscotch Latte at Starbucks hoping a double shot would do me good. I came home and did a bit of organizing in Lucy’s room. I fetched the mail (I even received a package I have been anxiously anticipating for a month), opened all the doors to let fresh air in, and cleaned the counter to the best of my ability. I have done a series of small things that usually help to improve my mood. Short of exercising, which I have no desire to do at the moment, I have utilized a variety of coping strategies. Instead I sit here fighting back tears.

            At some point in the next hour I will have to leave to pick up Lily. I dread the hour and a half that exists between Lily getting out of school and Lucy getting out of school. An hour and a half I usually enjoy walking and playing with Lily on the playground. I don’t want to leave the house. I don’t want to exercise, even though I know I need to. I don’t want to do anything but sit on my butt in a state of pure laziness. I even dread this evening’s chaos. Getting dinner, entertaining Lily while Lucy is at aikido, the bedtime routine. It all seems so overwhelming today. Obviously I need a break, but when, and how?

Readjusting to Alone Time

           Every morning for the past two months, I come home, after dropping both girls off at school, and make myself a pumpkin spice chai tea latte. As I sit drinking my chai, I take note of what has to be done around the house that day, which errands need to be run, and how much laundry I have gathered in my laundry basket.  On the days my mom is home, I call her and we converse for 45 minutes or so before I get my day started. When I hang up the phone is when my anxiety sets in.

            I haven’t had time without a child by my side for four years. Therefore, it is a bit disconcerting to walk into an empty house with four hours of quiet ahead of me. I admit that in the past all I have wanted is time to myself. An hour of quiet to sit and read or to leisurely browse the plethora of magazines that come in the mail seemed like an unattainable dream, one that I have longed for for the past four years. However, now that I have the time, I find myself wracked with anxiety because I feel lost and alone.

            I remember feeling this way when Lucy first started preschool at the age of 3. I was petrified to leave my house should an emergency arise at her school. I found myself pacing the floors waiting for the phone to ring to deliver some disastrous news. It took me forcing myself out of the house and a whole lot of talking myself off of a ledge until I became comfortable with the thought of being alone.  Once I became comfortable, I was able to relax and enjoy the time I spent with myself. I came to terms with the fact that some days I was extremely productive and others I did nothing but care for myself.       

            But then we got Lily, and everything once again changed. I not only had a new baby and limited time to myself, but then she was diagnosed with diabetes and time to myself became almost non-existent because she requires 24 hour care from someone trained to take care of her, that person being either my husband or I, with a little help from my parents when we lived in Vermont.

            Today we live thousands of miles from friends and family. The lack of support has taken its toll on my mental health. It has made me more vulnerable to anxiety. Lily’s physical health is a constant state of worry, and even though I have taught her teachers the basics, they aren’t trained to deal with every situation that may arise. Daily, I find myself making mental lists of all that could go wrong and sticking close to my phone in the event that I should have to run out the door at a moments notice. I have to talk myself of ledges regularly and remind myself that keeping busy and taking care of myself are the keys to reducing anxiety.

            Therefore, I am sitting here doing something I love, writing; a task that also tends to ease my anxiety. I will probably browse Facebook for a bit after posting this, and then make a list of all those household tasks that are still incomplete. Hopefully, I can keep myself busy enough to keep myself sane.

A Letter to My Friends

             Yesterday, after talking to an old friend on the phone, I cried. I cried after seeing a friend’s wedding photos on Facebook. I cried because I realized just how much I miss old friendships. I cried because my friends have been absent from my life and I from their lives.

            I underestimated just how much time and energy motherhood would take from me. I wasn’t aware of how much I would lose, even while being handed the world. Apparently, the key to being a better mom is taking care of yourself, fostering your own relationships, and doing the things you love. I guess I haven’t figured out how to do these things with two children, one of who needs constant care. 

            It isn’t that I haven’t wanted to be there for you. It isn’t that I have forgotten you. I still remember the fun times, the laughter, and the jokes. I remember what it was like to feel supported and to support. I miss being appreciated. And I want you to know that I appreciate you. Even now, across the distance and time, I appreciate you.         

            I don’t want to make excuses for my absence, but do want you to understand my plight. I have struggled since Lucy was born, with depression and with anxiety. I have struggled with exhaustion and grief since Lily was diagnosed with diabetes, neither of which has helped the anxiety and depression. I have struggled to find myself in the chaos that has become life with two kids. And in my struggle I have neglected you. I have neglected you when I should be reaching out to you, leaning on you, depending upon you.

            I shouldn’t have let the distance and time get between us, but life has slipped away so quickly and easily that I didn’t realize you were absent until it was too late. I am working on mending the gap between us. I am vowing to call more frequently, to check in on you even during the most chaotic moments. I can’t promise I will be perfect, but I do promise I will try. I want you in my life, and I want to be a part of yours. I don’t want to miss any more monumental moments.

            I only ask that you hold me accountable, that you do your part to keep me honest. If you haven’t heard from me, remind me. If you haven’t seen me, contact me. I am doing all I can to be a better friend. I ask that you do all you can to help me.

Bubbling Over

             I feel like, for the past two days, I have done nothing but harp on, yell at, and discipline my children. Last night while I was trying to relax, Lily squirmed, she got into things she wasn’t supposed to get into, and her talking never ceased. Today, I dealt with one meltdown after another between her and Lu. First Lily didn’t want to go for a walk while waiting the hour to pick up Lucy. Then, while in Wal-Mart, she through a conniption over purchasing a certain scarecrow. In the car, on the way home from Lucy’s school, the girls started arguing over what to name said scarecrow. Lily successfully instigated Lucy into a full-blown tantrum over Lucy’s inability to get a word in edgewise. At home Lily lay on the floor screaming because I gave Lu a box to use for her fairy house (Lily was given a box yesterday). Lucy then began crying over her eyes playing tricks on her. The two got in a screaming match over who was going to feed the animals. It has been one fight and one tantrum after another.

            I usually consider myself a fairly patient mother. I am fairly adept at ignoring tantrums and doling out consequences for inappropriate behavior. However, the last two days, I have felt myself losing my shit and praying for peace. I have practically begged my girls to sit in front of their iPads. Sensing my impatience, they haven’t been obliged to comply. Instead they have continued to push my buttons by making messes, chattering endlessly, and failing to listen and follow directions.

            As I sit here writing, Lily yells, “Mom, Lucy is looking at me.” My husband once made a statement that at the moment is ringing true. He declared, “I am convinced that our children were put on this earth to bring joy to others because they sure as hell aren’t here to bring us joy.” I am trying hard to find some joy, but the tantrums, fights, and lack of listening is overshadowing any good that may exist. I am taking a deep breath, counting to three…and screaming internally.