I have some friends who are masters at it, and I call them on it all the time. But I didn't realize how much I deny when I'd just rather not deal with difficulties.
This realization came on Monday afternoon when my friend Ruth in Michigan called."What's going on? How was your weekend?" she asked.
I knew that Ruth had a big birthday party over the weekend, so I paused for just a minute trying to remember my weekend.
"Nothing much," I said. "I babysat for the girls on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. So that was fun. Fought with Spencer about whether college students have curfews, the usual. How bout you?"
Then I paused so she could tell me the details of her party.
After the party overview, I said, "Oh, did I tell you about my job?"
I'd found out Friday that the college where I teach is cutting back on hours for adjuncts, which basically means I need to start looking for a new job. The excuse is the new IRS rules which only allows us 18 hours per week rather than 30 -- and that's 18 contact hours, so only 9 hours that we are getting paid for. It's complicated, but means about half of the paychecks I was earning before so the college can avoid having to contribute to health insurance for adjuncts.
"And," I continued, "did I tell you that Grace drove the car through the back of the garage on Sunday?"
"What? No."
I explained that Grace thought she had clipped a bike tire as she was pulling into the garage and in trying to slam on the brakes, she hit the gas instead.
Crash! Thunk!.
I went running out and had to go around to the big garage door to reach Grace.
She was okay. Just shaken up, as anyone would be.
"So maybe my weekend wasn't as fine as I said earlier," I admitted.
"I guess not," Ruth laughed. And that's when I remembered the latest thing, the biggest, scariest thing.
"Oh, and my mom just called from Dad's heart test. They're doing triple bypass surgery tomorrow."
"Oh, no," Ruth said. "I'm sorry."
I was too.
But I can write about it now because the surgery is complete and he came through "a textbook" patient, which I hope is good.
I can't fly to be with my mom in Florida, but my brother is on his way and should be there soon to help her with the hospital visits.
So, other than needing to find a new job, get the car repaired, get the garage repaired, and my dad undergoing major surgery, the weekend was fine.
I wasn't in denial at all.
6 comments:
Wow Paulita, you did have quite the weekend! I am sorry that you had so much difficulty to deal with at the same time. But thank goodness a grace was ok & it sounds like your dad is going to come through his surgery well. I will keep you in my thoughts. All the best, Paulita, it can only get better from here.
When it rain, it pours. I'll keep you in my thoughts about getting more work. Good luck!
Paulita, your post was…I was going to say funny but that's not the right word. Interesting. In that we do tend to forget the bad things which is a good thing. It allows us to get up again each day. I'm so glad your dad is doing better, that you didn't kill Grace (cause I like her) and I don't even know what to say about that BS job business! Sending good vibes across the pond. Bisous
I'm thankful everyone is okay. I'm sorry about your job. Can you come here, there are schools on top of schools. Oh no, I hope it isn't a sign that I should be going back to school - I'm living in denial.
Much love good thoughts.
Yikes you had a hell of a weekend! Hope it's more subdued the following weekend!
OMG....that was denial wasn't it. AT least your garage has an emergency exit now....LOL so sorry, but I could not resist. KIDS
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