When The Bug is eating (solids) and he’s sitting at the table he often looks straight up above the table to where the clock hangs quietly between the cabinets. Perhaps he finds the second hand interesting, it’s hard to say, but he always stares thoughtfully at it and I have to work to regain his attention. It’s one of the many things that steals his focus from me while we are eating.
Today at lunch time I found myself telling him he doesn’t have to worry time yet. He needn’t fret his handsome little head when it comes to the workings of the clock. At that moment I realized that it must be wonderful to be him in that respect.
I have a confession to make, I struggle with time. I always have. If you asked anyone who knows me they would peg me as chronically late. Yes, it’s a flaw but at least I’m honest about it. Pipeline Mommy time runs about a half hour behind the rest of the world and that was before I had a baby.
Some folks find it terribly annoying. Bosses, coworkers, receptionists in offices in which I have appointments and I whole heartedly apologize for the many inconveniences I have caused…and for how uncomfortable it must be, to be so anal retentive that you are unable to roll with the flow of a slight delay in plans. Relax guys, why are we in such a hurry anyway 🙂
My real point here though is our adult obsession with time. It’s TIME to go back to school. TIME for summer to end. TIME for dinner. TIME for bed. TIME to go to work. But when is it time to stop stressing out about things? (Or perhaps time = stress in a very particular mathematical equation that I never picked up on.)
In that moment this morning I marveled what a lovely spot the bug is in. He has a loose schedule of course, we can’t live without it (or without at least chasing after it) but the clock to him is nothing more than an entertaining piece of decor. I wish it were that simple for mommies.
Mommy must continue to try to be on time for all sorts of things. That fact will never change. But I would like to vow here and now that The Bug will go on as long as possible without having the mundane constraints of time holding him back. I refuse to force him to adhere. Odds are he won’t be good at it anyway 🙂
In closing friends, I want to take a moment to say… If you’re ever running late for something and I’m on the other end; a play date, meeting up for coffee, a holiday dinner, and yes even if I am you’re co-worker and you’re running late as my relief for the one millionth time…relax, I don’t mind and neither does The Bug. We’re used to it and it’s no big deal to us. punctuality is just not something I choose to stress over. So take a deep breath, close your eyes, and let go of TIME, just for a second. It will feel good I promise.
Pipeline Mommy 