As I pulled in to the first swim meet of the summer, I had this desperate thought: Can I survive another summer of this? I love the sun and fun of the pool; I love the people that are part of the team; I LOVE my community. But like most of the other families, one sport starts before the last one ends. Summer activities begin before the school year ends. So as we hang on by a thread for summer to begin, we are too tired to enjoy all the end of the year celebrations. We have twice as many places to go and twice as many things to do. Nerves are frazzled. Tempers are short. The question that keeps popping into my mind is, “Are we having fun yet?”
I really don’t mean to be a whiner. I know I feel this way because I am tired. I know I am not the only one or special or deserve pity. I have a wonderful life. I am extremely blessed with a great husband, healthy children, a lovely home and wonderful neighbors. But I am tired. The ironic thing is I teach other people about work-life balance. I tell other people how important it is to set boundaries, to turn off the smart phone and not be available to their employer 24/7. I remind woman to take time for themselves, to lock the door while they take a bubble bath. I help men find supports that they lack in their life, friends in whom they can confide.
In the pioneer days, they worked even harder than we do. They had to build their own homes, raise their own food, make their own clothes. One thing they did that we do not do is rest. Every Sunday they stopped working and spent time at church and at home.
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I made a start in resting this weekend by not volunteering at the swim meet and by postponing a meeting for a few weeks. Perhaps you are better than I am at saying “no.” But if not, keep practicing so that when we say “yes” we can actually enjoy the event.
Are we having fun yet? I am-I am going to take a nap!
