Some perspective
Posted on November 19th, 2012
I’ve turned into the mom who is completely out of countenance because the kid is home from school for a week. I can’t imagine what Christmas break or Spring break or Summer break will do to me.
It’s amazing how quickly we adapt. I mean, I was the caretaking parent almost 24/7 for about two years (with some time off for preschool and camp) but…I’ve gotten used to those mornings of productivity.
Still, I’m doing OK. Today was a social day (and also a “gee, I’ll test run hors d’oeuvres” and eat a lot of puff pastry day). Tomorrow is a catch-up-with CLEs day (this is my first reporting period ever where I have taken this long in the year to finish up, because, well — no motivation).
Today I was freaking out about bills (we have a lot, and I mean a lot, of medical bills — copays for ER visits, since it’s been an eventful year, and various and sundry VERY expensive diagnostic tests — and this is with “good” insurance). Freaking out. I hate paying bills, because I get panic attacks. I didn’t like paying them when we had enough money, but I juggle and it’s…yeah. It sucks.
M, who did not know I was freaking out about writing checks, texted me that he just bought a homeless guy a sandwich. And thereby wrote me a needed reality check.
M, I ought to point out, is a much better person than I am. He has strong convictions, he doesn’t compromise what he believes in, and even though it means he is constantly doing battle with the forces that exist above him in his hierarchy, he protects the people he’s charged to protect. He’s honorable. He is, without a doubt, the best person I’ve ever met. (He was also struck twice by lightning and broke a record in the number of merit badges he earned as a Boy/Eagle Scout. And he knows his hat etiquette.)
So there’s that perspective thing.
I love those lessons in perspective. They often come when needed. Sometimes I get them from my 15-year-old, and sometimes from my 12 yo Aspie, and sometimes from hubs, and sometimes from the world. I think those lessons are often needed around money — for me (likewise insured but DROWNING in medical bills), in any case.
Nice post — and what a great guy M must be!
It was really needed yesterday (and if I looked at the medical bills, today, too). I try to remind myself that if the biggest problem in my life is money, then I probably have a pretty good life. I may be eating potatoes and chili for a few meals because of my antique store buy today, but it’s all good.