Appointments

Yesterday I listened to my favorite (and only) podcast, We Can Do Hard things. The episode was a "double date" with Andrea Gibson and their partner Megan Falley. Andrea mentioned something I've never heard before - that according to Celtic lore, we choose our challenges before we are born. What a beautiful thought. I'd like to believe it's true, so I'm going to, just as a thought experiment.

Yesterday my son offered to vacuum. Instead of cleaning the floor, he took one of the attachments and started to vacuum his little roly poly stomach and absolutely lost his mind giggling while it vibrated on his skin. Today started strong and on a similar joyful note. The kids got ready for picture day, C proudly combed his hair, and he rode his skateboard in to school and had a smooth drop off.

Things dipped slightly this afternoon. Apparently he had an "incident" on the playground that involved hitting. I haven't had time for a full-debrief, but I got a brief synopsis as I picked him up early from the principals office for his doctor's appointment. At least the developmental pediatrician had good advice on how to handle things: address the concern in real time; clarify that he has a cognitive understanding of the rules; ask why did he feel like he had to choose X; drop it and move on. What great life advice: address the concern in real time; clarify understanding; share feelings; move on. Easier said than done.

I'm tired. I've been crying. If I were to take a 30-day snapshot, the children and I have a minimum of 18 doctor, therapy, or related appointments. That does not include C's in-school weekly social work sessions, nor does it include follow-up appointments that I'll probably be scheduling in the next couple of days. That seems like a lot. I'm grateful for all the appointments, for sure.

Going back to the Celtic beliefs, perhaps pre-mortal me had an over-inflated sense of competence or efficiency.