I remember.<\/p>\n
I remember arriving to work at a specific time, settling in to my cube and starting my day. I had routines, an overflowing inbox and a clear understanding that, at a certain point, I would leave.<\/p>\n
THIS is work<\/p>\n
THIS is home<\/p>\n
I remember rock-paper-scissors with my husband for which of us would pick up the child from school.<\/p>\n
School was over THERE.<\/p>\n
Now all the things are here. With a few more added on. There are intruding news stories and contagion reports.<\/p>\n
I met a new friend on Zoom last week. I told her I was working on a new book, but\u2026Covid.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou must have so much time for writing now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Well, I do have time.<\/p>\n
But whose time is it?<\/p>\n
My job happily takes every second I give it and asks for more.<\/p>\n
I find the starch to draw a boundary when it comes to my kid. She needs me!<\/p>\n
And what is left?<\/p>\n
Used to be I could leave the house for some uninterrupted time: a \u201cbreak.\u201d<\/p>\n
Breaks are broken. Those cheap seats at Starbucks are illegal.<\/p>\n
So, I\u2019m nowhere. I\u2019m not the only one.<\/p>\n
We had a system. We had a lot of systems this. And every last one is unavailable.<\/p>\n
This whole thing has gone on long enough. There is a lot I can\u2019t control. And there are some things I can.<\/p>\n
Repeat five times fast:<\/p>\n
NoNoNoNoNo<\/p>\n
I am not available at that time. I have a previous commitment.
\nLeave mommy alone. I am doing work.
\nMY work.
\nThis is my time.
\nOther people cannot have it. Other people will have to wait.<\/p>\n
In a blaze of irony, it\u2019s going to take work to take a break. It\u2019s still worth it. We\u2019re going to be here a while.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I remember. I remember arriving to work at a specific time, settling in to my cube and starting my day. I had routines, an overflowing inbox and a clear understanding that, at a certain point, I would leave. THIS is … Continue reading