Work Wednesday
The other day, while trying to align my feet, square my hips, and breathe deeply in Virabhadrasana pose, I looked out the window and noticed that the leaves on the tree outside the yoga studio were already starting to change color. I quickly turned my focus back to my warrior stance and dismissed this premature sign of autumn as geographically irrelevant. I was vacationing up in the Adirondack mountains where the nights were already cool. But I knew that once I returned home, it would still be summer. Whew! Hot as it's been this year (as of Monday, we've had 52 90+ degree days in the Washington, D.C. area), I simply wasn't ready for fall.
There are lots of reasons for my desire to forestall fall: the passing of swimming and soft ice cream season; the picked up pace of work; and the frenzy of back-to-school activities. (I'm always shocked that the school year here starts before Labor Day.) Not to mention the inevitable approach of winter. But those are perennial and usually I love autumn.
So, here's the real reason: My husband is starting a new job.
A temporary job for one year, more or less. Starting this fall.
It's a great opportunity and the work should be interesting and exciting. He's clearly ready for the change.
But am I?
As my CurrentMom readers know, my husband and I have worked for the same employer for the past ten years. Even though we're in different divisions, we've spent our days on opposite ends of the same hallway for the last four. Working in the same space (but not on the same projects), has allowed us to deal expeditiously (if not easily) with sick kids, last minute deadlines, commuting snafus, and other working parent banes. And it has been nice to slip out for the (very) occasional lunch or latte together. So, I'm going to miss him. A lot.
Moreover, my husband's new job will be more demanding - and less flexible- than his old one, at least in terms of hours in the office. We've been true partners in raising our kids so far, but now I'll be doing more of the daily parenting tasks by myself while he's (still) at work. I've already switched my schedule around so I can pick up both kids from their separate schools, changed my commuting and travel arrangements, and started looking for backup babysitting. I know that my husband will remain an active co-parent during his new gig, but I'll be in the driver's seat, both literally and figuratively, far more than usual.
So, am I ready? Yes and no. I'm thrilled that my husband has an exciting new opportunity, and I want him to enjoy it and excel. At the same time, I know that his new position will require adjustments and adaptations for all of us. But it doesn't really matter whether I'm ready or not. Change is coming. And so is fall.
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