Just Fishin': After a Trying Day

Today was not the best day ever.  It started out okay.  I got to meet someone I've been friends with on Facebook for a while but had never met in person.  We had a nice chat before I went back to work.  Then there was a meeting. 

I won't kid you... it's been stressful around here lately.  The recent layoffs have made a few of us busier than we should be and there is absolutely no room for anything more.  And yet, there are other departments who didn't plan what to do when they lost people and are hoping to put those duties off on us.  I've already taken on some of it.  My husband has taken on some of it.  All of us downstairs have.  Today I saw my over-worked and over-stressed boss fall on his sword.  Had I known what was about to happen, I'd have protested that what they asked was impossible.  I didn't know.  I was stunned.

Afterwards, I offered help, but he is determined to make a point here.  I hope it is not at the cost of his health or sanity.  The day that started off happy and upbeat turned into one where I felt like crying every time I thought about my place of employment.  Things are just going wrong and there doesn't seem to be a darned thing I can do about it.

I left early to pick my son up from the bus stop.  I NEEDED to pick him up.  I needed that reminder of why I do the things I do - of what's important in the greater scheme of things.  As I waited for the bus to arrive, I talked to my mom and worked on the prayer shawl that's nearly done. 

When the bus showed up, we grinned at each other.  We drove to Michael's to get some more yarn for another shawl I'm working on.  Then we went to Atlanta Bread company and got cookies and split a sandwich.  I love my time after work with my boy. 

We went home.  I resumed my crochet (almost done - adding fringe now).  It's like meditation.  Because I pray while I crochet, it takes my mind away from my own troubles and focuses it in a positive way on someone else's needs.  While I did this, my boy sat down to his computer and started playing games.

I enjoy these quiet times.  We are not doing something together, but sharing the same space and enjoying the quiet.  There's the occasional "look Mom!" or question about school.  He'll get up and dance around or do pushups or something then sit down and resume his activity, which makes me laugh.  We like to laugh around here.  Mostly, we just like to be together.

And after a day like today, I treasure these times more than ever.

Want to read more Just Fishin' or Fist Bump Friday?  Go visit Jill at Life Is Not Bubble-Wrapped!