Back to Work

I returned to work on Monday. While I still enjoy the cerebral challenges of work and adult interaction, nothing could have prepared me for how difficult leaving Paul would be.

I don't think this week was nearly as hard for Paul as it was for me, and for that, I owe a huge thanks to my parents. Not only did I return to work, but I returned to the week of my company's annual meeting, which meant commuting to the suburbs, nightly business dinners - in short, very long days. Knowing that Paul was safe and sound at home with Grandma and Grandpa eased the transition. My parents 35+ years together was apparent in how they make taking care of an infant and maintaining a house look so easy. Every night, Joe and I returned from work to a happy baby, spotless floors, an empty laundry basket, and a home-cooked meal. With dessert.

As I promised my son, this weekend has been a non-stop cuddle-a-thon. A big snowstorm hit Chicago, so Joe and I have been hibernating: playing with our son, taking naps and watching the NFL Playoffs.

For Christmas, my parents gave Paul one of my favorite books, Where the Sidwalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. Shel was a barefoot, peace-loving, guitar-playing hippie who wrote great children's poetry. I've been reading his poems to Paul all day and found that I enjoy them more now than I did as a child. Returning to the work this week (I sell recruitment advertising), I was reminded that times are tough for a lot of people in a lot of ways now. Before I return to work tomorrow, here are a couple of my favorites. I hope someday we all live in the world that Shel Silverstein and Barack Obama imagine.

LISTEN TO THE MUSTN'TS

Listen to the MUSTN'TS, child,
Listen to the DON'TS
Listen to the SHOULDN'TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON'TS
Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me -
Anything can happen, child,
ANYTHING can be.

HUG O' WAR

I will not play at tug o' war.
I'd rather play at hug o' war.
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.


One more thing before I sign off - my brother- and sister-in-law gave Paul a Gloworm for Christmas, which is by far, his favorite toy. The video speaks to how much Paul loves his worm. He looks at it like he has been reunited with a long-lost friend from a distant galaxy every time we press play.