One of my girlfriends gave me an R. Nichols candle for Christmas. Not only does it have the most divine scent, on the side it features a little guy chasing five dogs on leashes.
“This made me think of you because you have so much going at the same time!” Deanna exclaimed.
I really liked that gift–because Deanna seemed to know that like so many military spouses, I pride myself on having a lot going on. No bonbons and velvet couches for me. I’m out in the world barely able to hold onto everything at once. Thus, my crappy spelling.
I think of this crazybusyness is a good thing most of the time. But as Deanna knows, sometimes all the stuff I have on leashes gets out of control. I miss deadlines. I send the wrong thing to the wrong person. I miss the wear-your-pajama-to-school day or I forget to return a phone call or I misplace my car.
And that’s OK. Or I tell myself that’s OK. One of my milspouse friends is always implying that if I would slow down a little I would make fewer mistakes. Instead, I think if I would slow down I would make exactly the same number of mistakes and have far fewer successes. Who knows who is right?
What does it matter? Because in the milspouse world, there seem to be two kinds: those who don’t do quite enough and those who do entirely too much.
I’ll join those who err on the side of too much, thanks. And to my naysayers I will recite one of my favorite military wife quotes by Edna St. Vincent Millay:
My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends It gives a lovely light!
