Reality Check

By Penny

It is so easy to get caught up with life’s shenanigans that we forget that we are mere mortals. We get angry about work and frustrated with spouses and children (and mothers-in-law). Then something happens to remind us that all that stuff is small peanuts, compared to how great it is to even be alive and healthy and able to deal with it at all.

This may fall into the category of TMI – Too Much Information – but I think it’s relevant to working mothers (or any woman, mother, working or no).

I’m just a young punk, all of 34. I have one son (2-year-old) and am only recently married (Okay, so it’s five years in August). I’ve finally landed the career job that I want, live in a house I love, and am part of a community I enjoy. I’m busy, and the last thing on my mind is the possibility that something bad could happen to put an end to this wonderful time.

Then I found blood coming from one of my breasts. It took me about a half hour to realize that it could be serious. Really serious. It probably wasn’t really serious, but there was a 10% chance that it WAS serious, and I didn’t like those odds.

I spent a few days wondering about what I would do. What happens if I’m suddenly GONE? What about my son and husband? My parents? My research? My friends? My garden? My cats? Why don’t I have better life insurance? How will my son pay for college?

I thought about how foolish it is to get wrapped up in the trivial details of life. Enjoy the commute. So what if the guy cut you off? Be nice to people. Don’t sweat a dollar. Smile and say thank you to the server at the restaurant.

The good news is that nothing is wrong. Everything is normal – I think I just got kicked at some point by a flailing toddler and it caused a bit of bleeding. And now I can share horror stories of mammograms, ductograms, and ultrasounds with my older woman friends (and don’t have to go through that again for six more years).

I just hope I don’t forget the life lessons I learned. You never know what’s going to happen. Plan for tomorrow, but live for today.

Penny is a "Work It" writer. Read more about her.