I wanted to sleep past dawn, but instead
I know making breakfast isn’t worth the effort, but instead
I hounded my daughter to make her bed, but instead
I’ve given up hounding my husband, so instead
I tried for a quick drop-off at school, but instead
I hoped the garden weeds wouldn’t spread, but instead
I prayed the dog poop in the yard would disappear, but instead
I wished a pet like ours didn’t need walking, but instead
I aimed to go exercise, but instead
I could have let the laundry mount, but instead
I contemplated a sumptuous lunch, but instead
I wanted to cancel the teleconference, but instead
I would gladly let someone else chauffeur the kids, but instead
I thought we could go one more day without groceries, but instead
I could have picked up dinner, but instead
I might have nixed my daughter’s bath and hair wash, but instead
I wish I’d written something more than this, but instead
I long for another response to Marta’s question, but instead
This is my life and there is no instead.
How could it be any other way?
Attention readers, bloggers and opinionators: if you would like a review copy of the new paperback edition of Momma Zen, my publisher will provide! Just contact me via the email on my profile page.
A thought: if I just write “instead” on my to-do list everyday, I would always get everything done!
I love this post! Day by day, life is what IS, not what you planned it to be.
Comment by Mama Zen — November 14, 2007 @ 5:05 am
Woke up, got out of bed, dragged a comb across my head…
I was nursing Marley this evening and thinking -“this is it – the only IT”
My Momma Zen paperback is somewhere in the labyrinth of Canada Post. When she gets here I’ll take good care of her.
Comment by kelly — November 14, 2007 @ 5:13 am
IN the great web of things, it appears we had the same day.
There is no other way.
Why do I so quickly forget this?
Comment by bella — November 14, 2007 @ 7:38 am
Oh, my question–very writer-marta of me–I do suffer a bit from “what’s next” syndrome. But I meant the question as a compliment for what it is worth. There are those of us who look forward to your writing…may you find the inspiration or may it find you.
Comment by marta — November 15, 2007 @ 4:03 am
Marta, in your writerly prescient way, you asked the most pertinent question. Because the opportunity has arisen but the impetus, not yet. Thanks for the encouragement.
Comment by Karen — November 15, 2007 @ 5:05 am