When I tell people that I have two small children, they are usually taken aback, saying something like, "Wow, how do you manage all of that?" The truth is that I'm not really managing. All of this is just happening. The daily grind just happens and things don't get finished or perfectly done.
And when Mr. JP is down and out, I find myself taking care of three people. I believe that I am supposed to take care of him in these times, but it does become very difficult to manage the household as well as my career. My group is running itself, but I am now back-logged with proposals and manuscripts. Everyone is waiting on me at work or at home, trying to get a piece. I'm hungry! Read my manuscript! I pooped! Wah wah wah! Have you written that rec letter yet?
Fortunately, Mr. JP is doing a bit better these past couple days.
Even so, I feel as if I am on that psychotic party boat from the original Charlie and the Chocoloate Factory movie, where I keep hearing:
Round the world and home again
That's the sailor's way
Faster faster, faster faster
There's no earthly way of knowing
Which direction we are going
There's no knowing where we're rowing
Or which way the river's flowing
Is it raining, is it snowing
Is a hurricane a-blowing
Not a speck of light is showing
So the danger must be growing
Are the fires of Hell a-glowing
Is the grisly reaper mowing
Yes, the danger must be growing
For the rowers keep on rowing
And they're certainly not showing
Any signs that they are slowing
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2 comments:
JP, I don't know what to say other than I'm sending good vibes to you and your family. Since I don't know which direction that is, you can just imagine it as an omnidimensional broadcast for your family's specific frequency.
Oh, I know how you feel. With three kids and a professorial job, as you say, things are just happening. Someone asked me the other day how I do it all and I said "Badly." Things get done, but I am often late and nothing is perfect.
And you have perfectly captured the never-ending neediness both at home and at work...
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