Touching my husband’s back is like setting your hand on a card table. It is swollen and hardened into a flat surface. He threw his back out 10 days ago while sweeping the driveway. He’s limping, in pain, cranky. But he’s doing his stretches and taking it easy. We’re hoping he’ll be on the mend soon.
In the meantime, absolutely everything is left up to me. All Nora care. All house care. All animal care. All cooking. The lawn has not been mowed in two weeks. We’re running out of fresh laundry. This morning Nora arrived at school with a blob of paint on her cheek that was there when I picked her up yesterday. I am not getting to any of the things I love to do, like read other people’s blogs and write my own.
I am left with a profound respect for single parents. Raising healthy, happy kids while working and taking care of a home is a feat we should all admire. If you know any single parents who are holding it all together, please deliver this message from me, “You’re amazing.” And offer to babysit for them tomorrow night.