Dear Journal: All This Juggling

Dear Journal,

I thought that in my regular life there was a juggling act, with the juxtaposition of wanting to spend time with my family, having to work every day, and getting in some sleep every now and again. But this summer takes the cake in terms of having my schedule locked up, squeezing me tightly like a boa constrictor. And maybe it’s starting to catch up with me, just a little bit. Just today I caught myself breathing deeply and counting to 10, hopeful that when I reached that magical number I could just relax.

Yeah. Right. But it’s what I need to do right now, all this madness. Here’s the list:

1. Two on-line courses (one 12-week, and one 4-week)
2. One full week course (9-5 this past Monday through Friday)
3. Summer school from 7:30 – 12:30 daily
4. Work at Target every weekend, and 2 nights a week
5. Oh, and try to remember my family’s faces

And I feel bad that when I get home I have to get right to work on one thing or another, but time doesn’t slow down for anyone, much less for me, so I soldier on. I have to say, too, that I have the most amazing wife in the history of amazing women who do so much more than they’re given credit for. My wife doesn’t have a stress-free life herself, but she is so incredibly supporting of my schedule this summer, which is what I need. Because I feel bad enough about not having the time to spend with her and our children right now.

So I am juggling, and this blog is on the list too, but I’m getting most of it done in the time allotted so I’m good. I just try not to let any of the stress of getting things done on time and to my standards get to me. I’m practicing my breathing techniques, and getting hugs where I can find them. Yes, getting hugs where I can find them.

Sam