What I Am Leaving Behind
What I am leaving behind today are my husband, my son, and my daughter. The three most important people in my life, but also the most consuming and demanding people in my life. They jockey constantly for my time and attention, to the point I am exhausted. So today, I leave them behind.
I am leaving behind dishes in the sink, laundry that needs washed, a garden that needs weeded, and floors that need mopped. I am leaving behind the never ending list of “things to do” that never seems to be completed no matter how hard I try. So today, I’m leaving them behind.
I am leaving behind the friends who are too needy, the boss who is too demanding, and the mother who overwhelms me. I am leaving behind their petty, self-centered demands that leave me feeling used and unappreciated. So today, I’m leaving them behind.
I am leaving behind the guilt that I feel for leaving my family, my chores, and my responsibilities. I am leaving behind the stress and demand of the people and things I love, the things I allow to suck me dry, leaving me feeling empty, exhausted, and withered.
Today I am leaving behind the woman I have become; the wife, mother, teacher, worker. I am leaving her behind in search of pieces of the girl I once used to be. The girl, who wrote, dreamed, dared to be herself. So today, I am leaving them all behind to find myself.
Yikes -We are so much alike! I wish I could write so clearly and concisely. I can certainly relate.
I love you Lorie!
It takes a lot of courage to acknowledge that what you love can also exhaust you. Good for you for taking time for yourself.