Sunday, February 25, 2007

Puzzled


I spent the weekend being a single parent. It makes me truly grateful and humbled that I do not have to do this full time. Even though watching the kids on my own while my husband is traveling professionally is not as difficult as it was when the kids were little, it still takes a bit out of me. I need more than my fair share of alone time and this weekend I didn’t get much.
This has nothing to do with the puzzled theme but it does have to do with why I am trying to write on this theme at a quarter to 9 PM. Today, I juggled piano lessons for two, play dates, grocery shopping, a school play and attending the Jewish equivalent of a wake, called Shiva. So I haven’t had time to be puzzled.
During a free moment whilst driving, I pondered what I was puzzled about at present. The weather was dreadful; a combination of snow and freezing rain that left slushy puddles everywhere. And I was feeling melancholic. Probably it was the melancholy of the end of a Chicago winter. Even though this winter (with the exception of the first weeks of February) was mild enough to confirm my fears of global warming, the winters here still do drag on too long. I miss the sun. I miss green plants and flowers. I miss walking outside without a coat on.
So I guess feeling melancholic is not too puzzling but I still get that feeling of surprise, when I really have nothing to feel sad about. Sometimes a tune comes into my head to fit the mood and today’s tune was from Evita. I think the scene was after Peron evicted his latest mistress. She sings movingly: “Being used to trouble, I anticipate it. But all the same I hate it, wouldn’t you? So what happens now? Where am I going to?” The chorus replies to her, “Don’t ask any more.”
At the moment, I have no need to ask these existential questions. I know where I am and where I am going, for the time being. When new goals need to be chosen, for example after my kids leave home, I think I will be able to choose them with joy and not trepidation. So for now, the answer truly is: “Don’t ask any more.” Some puzzles don’t need any more of an answer than that I’m a bit tired and should rest up.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

When I am faced with a weekend or a week of single parenting, I am always exceptionally grateful that I don't have to do this all the time. Parenting is hard work and doing it without any help is so difficult.

Congrats on surviving that day and only feeling puzzled by it! :)

gautami tripathy said...

Immediate work at hand does take precedence over puzzling over other issues.

I feel thats how it should be.


gautami
Puzzled

paris parfait said...

Being a single parent - or a parent temporarily on her own - is a very busy job, so I can identify with you not finding time to write until late. I think we all feel a bit melancholy in February, longing for spring and blooming flowers, after the cold and bare branches of winter. As for your puzzle, yes, some puzzles are best put off for another day.

Anonymous said...

I empathise with these circumstances. Your last line is a wise one.

Liza on Maui said...

A bit late visiting this Sunday Scribbling. I hope you had a good rest.

Good Puzzled Photo.