I went to the optician at the weekend so we could all have our eyes tested. The three kids got a clean bill of health, Byron ordered some prescription sunglasses and then it was my turn. As I read the lines of increasingly smaller text I knew I wasn't seeing as far as I had on previous check ups. Last year I was told I was "borderline" for glasses and I was guessing this year I had stepped over that line.
What I wasn't expecting was the optician to look deep into my eyes and ask me if I was sick? Apparently I have some nodules on the skin inside my eyes that he said were found on immuno-compromised people or people who had had a run of coughs and colds. I have been lucky this winter and have escaped most nasty bugs.
Then he asked me if I was stressed. Stressed! Did he have an hour to talk, or two, or three? Yes, the last year has been a bit stressy. When the only bread winner in the family lost his job and it took three months to get money coming back into the bank account, I got stressed. When I went from being a stay at home mum to working shift work as a nurse, I got stressed. When I have a pile of laundry threatening to avalanche down on me every time I open the laundry room door- yes I get stressed. Now show me someone who is stress free? Because I want them to be my new best friend. They can share their chilled out zen with me and I will share my laundry with them! It's life Mr Optician. Am I truly more stressed that your average mum dragging three kids in for an eye test?
And so I end this blog rant and rave with plans to go some deep-breathing-positive-affirmation-chanting-yoga-meditation-something-or-other knowing that I, Gina, can truthfully say:
I am Stressed to the eye balls!!!! AAARRRGGHHHH!!!!!!
Sorry to hear about the eye exam and I send my hugs to you during stressful times. Being a mom is not easy, even though we wouldn't trade it for the world.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I were just saying tonight about how difficult it is to be thankful for what we have and to not stress over what we don't. Although we have lost a child, we have much to be thankful for and we recognize that, although we have to be reminded of it constantly.
You seem like such a compassionate woman. I will pray for peace for you my friend.
Also, thanks for the advice on my comment section of my blog about editing a comment. I am so excited that I have a solution! :)))
With love and hope,
Cheryl
A stress free mother.....I think that is an urban legend! :) Sometimes as I single mom, I think my stress level must be off the charts....but then I realize that while I am a working single mom, there are some who are single parents and they are out of work. When I find myself becoming too stressed out over everyday life, I try to look at the bigger picture and it generally settles me down.
ReplyDeleteStress unfortunately is in the job drescription. So is guilt. It sucks!
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