Ok, so I've been busy lately. Busy NOT getting my possible dream job, busy adjusting to kids in elementary school, busy tracking politics.
It's this last that's gotten me into trouble. I've been asked on facebook if I'm ok; I seem angry lately. One, I don't use facebook to tout my "perfect" (i.e., imaginary) life, I tell the truth. Two, yes, I'm angry; whenever I pay attention to politics, I see voter suppression and attempts to ensure that my daughter doesn't have the same choices/control in her life which I've had, let alone equality. Sorry, that brings out the Mama Bear. If I seem too angry to you, you're not paying attention, in my opinion.
However, in perspective, yes, I am ok. And that's the part I want to share today. I was walking around the neighborhood this morning. Beautiful, sunny, breezy, early fall morning. Watching squirrels, looking at flowers, listening to birds. Who could be angry when faced with that?
I caught myself smiling, watching the dog sniff and the two-year-old giggle at butterflies. I am contemplating, this morning, how lucky I am. Lucky to have healthy, relatively happy kids who love school; and who are growing into people who are kind, caring, and thoughtful. Lucky to have a career I enjoy, even if my current employer is a nightmare (long-term plan: get out; short-term plan: pay the bills). Lucky to have a sister who knows nearly everything about me and loves me anyway; and a good friend of whom I could say the same. Lucky to live in a neighborhood which is safe, where I don't hesitate to take a walk with the overly friendly dog and the pokey little toddler. A neighborhood where things put out on the devil strip are free for the taking; but where lawn furniture, toys, and bikes left in front yards or on porches seem never to disappear.
And, yes, even though I didn't get that fantastic job, I can say that I'm grateful even for that. This is giving me time to attend continuing education workshops, volunteer at school, play with the two-year-old, get some holiday shopping done early (like I used to, Before Kids), and even revisit my favorite old friend reading for fun.
Am I ok? Yes, I have a pretty good life. Is it perfect? Absolutely not; but no one's is. (If anyone you know claims to have the perfect life, be very, very suspicious!) But it is absolutely good enough; and that's what really matters.
