Tick Tock

The alarm on my phone announces it’s 6 AM. Again.

I’m still exhausted.

Tick Tock

One of my cats stretches bedside me. The other one walks into the room.

They both stare.

“We’re ready for our breakfast .”

Tick Tock

I try to remember what day it is. How many meetings today?

My stomach tightens.

“Shit.”

Tick Tock

The routine starts.

I put the dinner table mats on the floor to signal the cats that food is on its way. One brushes my leg in thanks then sits on his mat and waits.

The other stretches again. Paces. Looks worried that he’ll somehow not be served. Anxiety left over from his early days at the shelter I guess.

Tick Tock

“Can I eat my cereal, drink coffee and read the paper before my young son wakes?”

Just looking for a few moments of me.

Tick Tock

He’s up. Cute. Happy. “Mommy come hug.”

Why would I want to resist?

Tick Tock

“We need to get going now.”

“Pancakes?” he asks.

I look at the clock.

“No time today.”

He gets his cereal.

I go dress for work.

Tick Tock

The rush to remember what goes into my backpack for work and his for school.

He’s put on shorts and a t-shirt (again). It’s cold and wet outside.

“Why don’t you step outside and see if you’ll be warm enough today.”

He does. He won’t. He changes clothes. Four times.

I’m anxious. I look at the clock. Wonder about the traffic. Maybe I yelled, “Hurry up.”

Tick Tock

Dropping him off. I know he likes learning, but talks too much for school rules. They’re not patient. Will we get another call from the Principal today?

“Bye. I love you, son.”

“Love you too.”

I watch him walk all the way to the door, ignoring the cars behind me.

I adore him.

Tick Tock

More bad news on the radio. “Why don’t I listen to music?  Because I need to be informed.”

Lots of traffic. Cars are crawling. I call my assistant at work. We review the day, talk business, make decisions…we talk my…entire…drive…in.

Tick Tock

I rush into the office. My assistant waits at the door. She gives me meeting notes. I give her my backpack. The meetings start.

Every minute of the day is scheduled. Every minute.

Tick Tock

My husband picks up our son and takes him home where they start homework.

I stop at the grocery store to pick-up pre-made dinner.

On the drive I return business calls. Mostly leaving voice messages.

Tick Tock

Home.

Our son sets the table while I dish the food on plates.

My husband starts the laundry.

We sit down together with a candle burning in the center of our plates. (To calm us?)

We pause to give thanks.

They are finished eating their entire meal by the time I’ve had my third bite.

Tick Tock

Bathtime for everyone.

Reading time for everyone.

Tick Tock

Lights out.

I fall asleep (again) in my son’s room after reading to him.

Tick Tock

Our son is older.

He plays hockey.

We add it to the daily schedule. Every day. At the rink. Every day.

Tick Tock

We look for free wifi at the rink.

Laptops so we can work during practice and between games.

We are lined up in the bleachers with the other parents doing the same.

Tick Tock

We’ve rushed.

We’ve juggled.

We’ve stressed.

We’ve argued (not much though, whew)

We’ve laughed (much, fortunately)

We’ve loved.

We’ve bonded.

Tick Tock

Our son is grown.

We can hardly wait to see one another.

We enjoy each other.

Tick Tock

During all these years…

We made family.