Love Roller Coaster

No this isn't going to get all mushy. Not gonna go all Barry White on ya yet... But...

There is more love around the house when mom is well rested and not traveling. Between a recent bit of work strife and travel, our family has ridden a roller coaster of emotion through the month of November. And thank god its about over.

That is, thank god the month of November is about over, because as we head into another holiday, I am reminded that a lot of this strife started on a different holiday - Halloween, the last day of October, typically a fun holiday - but evidently the big business world doesn't recognize holiday or family any more (ouch). So, who knows what to expect as we head towards Christmas.

  

It is very evident when mom is under stress because we don't get her attention and when we do it is very direct and sharp. I am this way already, so when she starts showing these symptoms, I become anti-man - that is, grizzly and strained to the point that I should be cast off alone to some distant island to radiate.

And in our home situation, I cook a lot; I tote the kids around a bit; I grind through the homework spiel. The kids get enough of me.

Its mom they crave. Its mom that kisses a boo boo and actually means it. Its mom that forgives... and mom has the softest touch in the house. She wears many hats and it is amazing how 97% of the time she can take the corporate one off as she steps into the house.

We were lucky to have Thanksgiving as pleasant as it was. We were fortunate to be with family and give thanks and eat lots of pie. To be honest though, I felt myself looking over my shoulder - ready for the next round of corporate grief to take hold. Damn those Blackberries and their ability to keep up with every work detail and e-mail.

So yes, as we shovel, glide, or at least make our way through Advent and towards winters' front door - it is good to have that love back, that is to have mom back - the roller coaster has leveled out (for a while at least).

I am curious where other family-type units find "the love" and how they handle stress - individually? together? Perhaps folks build a tent out of the dining room table and hide away- while pretending that its the Millennium Falcon?