Today is the first day of summer vacation for E.B. and I. He’s been out of school for almost two weeks already, but Friday was my last day of work.
Here we sit, side by side, still in our pajamas (with me sans makeup and hair pulled back) at noon. He begged me to download a game on his computer and watch him play. I did. Although I have no idea about the point of this video game or what in the world it all means, it matters to him. So today, I sat with him, completely zoned in on this game because I made a promise to my family this summer.
No more leftovers.
Since school started in August and I plowed my way through my librarian position at my new school, my husband and I have probably went out by ourselves a grand total of one time. We’ve taken one Saturday family fun trip in this time. My husband has taken our son on weekend outings, like the skating rink or the movies, but I’ve always stayed behind. Too tired. Too busy. Too much housework to catch up on. I took three classes this spring to renew my teaching license.
No, I have to finish my classwork.
I’ll look in just a second.
I’ll be done in just a minute.
No, we can’t have a story tonight because I’m just too tired to read.
Busy, busy, busy. I can’t begin to even tell you how much of my slack my husband has picked up for me since then. He has been the glue, y’all.
Summer is here and although two months stretch out long ahead of me, I want to fill it with as much “yes” as I can. Yes, we can go out of town and goof off for the day. Yes, dinner will be waiting on you when you come home. Yes, the laundry can wait. Yes, I’ll sit here and watch you play a game I have no clue about. Because I love you and you are the most important things to me. Because I’m sorry I don’t multitask very well. Because I feel immense guilt for trying to be all things and do all things. Because nine summers from now, hanging with mom and dad won’t be the cool thing to do.
Because my family deserves more of me than just what’s left over.
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