The antidote to too much-ness

Seek simplicity, whatever that means for you

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

I woke up to the sound of my daughter and her girlfriend talking softly on the stairs. I could tell by various bumps and shufflings that my daughter was sitting on the second-to-lowest stair, putting on her shoes.

I girded my loins before opening the door to my bedroom.

I wanted everything to go right today. I wanted to be gentle, grounded, kind, and loving. I wanted to be accepting of whatever was thrown my way. I wanted to not want, to not need, to not expect.

Before I turned the doorknob, I performed a mental inventory of the fridge. I thought, “I think we’re out of eggs.” I thought, “I could make scones.” I thought, “That’s not healthy enough. Nina isn’t eating right these days, and ate poorly yesterday.” I thought, “I can make oatmeal. But Nina hates oatmeal.”

When I emerged, I said, “Good morning!” Nina said, “Mom, where are the keys?” I said, “Um, what’s going on?”

“Mom,” she said patiently, “I told you. I’m working today. I’m running late. Where are the keys?”

As I was checking the key hook by the front door, she was checking the side pocket of my purse. “Got ‘em,” she said.