4:31 -- Dinner Shift...

Breakfast shouldn't have been that much work yesterday.

The steaming, syruppy pile of pancakes invited me in,

but I didn't want them.

The warm winter sun beat down my back as I sat at the table,

but I couldn't enjoy it.

In my heart, Monday kept bullying Sunday.

My husband sensed my intermittant attempts

to be strong,

to stop the tears from flowing

every time I thought about my

maternity leave ending;

and taking my coughing baby to day care;

and wondering how our sleep schedules would meld with work responsibilities;

and imagining how crazy our mornings would be from tomorrow forward.

"Tomorrow's a big day, isn't it?"

his question more like the nod of agreement.

"Maybe we could make everything easier tonight

if Reid and I pick up dinner. 

Anywhere you want. 

Then, no kitchen clean-up will eat away our evening." 

(My hero.)

It was then Monday's menacing grip loosened and

Sunday's responsibility load lessened.

It was then I smiled,

and prepared to enjoy the day

with gratitude

with stillness

and the anticipation of delicious dinner

I didn't have to fix.

It was then I felt the sun.

Write on,
b