“I’m stretched too thin!” 
I’m pretty sure I’ve been saying this to anyone who would listen, including playing this complaint on internal repeat for the last two months.
And I’ve been practicing with a lovely Buddhism class too. A saving grace while navigating difficult times.
A week or so ago, after spending the morning with my kids in my Dad’s new spot (a skilled nursing facility in Pittsburgh), I took my kids to the hotel pool to regroup between visits to my dad. The “sandwich” of caring for elderly and young kids was making me feel emotionally soggy and squished.
On the elevator down the the pool, some older people sharing the space with us smiled, “how nice you are going swimming with them!” I replied with a sarcastic wink, “whether I want to or not.”
I really just want to run away from everything crying, or go to bed for 3 weeks. But, because of said sandwich, here I was… cheerful and in a bathing suit floppy from age and shot elastic.
30 minutes later in the pool, and Odin is pulling my arm in one direction, Tasslen grabbing my leg and pulling in the other. They are splashing and laughing.
“Look mom! We got you. You are soooooo stretched!”
I feel water, buoyancy, I hear kids giggling – their voices echo in the room, I’m warm.
Yes, stretched…..and in that moment, a real moment, that stretch felt so good.
May life make silly little jokes for you too, giving you buoyancy and smiles in real time. May your complaints become awakenings, your burdens become adventures and may you feel the love around you and splash happiness.
Merry Christmas 
From Facebook Dec 24, 2022
