Domesticity

Last night my division had its annual holiday party.
I did not go.

When asked, I told people, "I have a prior family commitment."

Of course, there was no special occasion, just my desire to not go to the party. Especially because it's Miss V's project, and if I go I am expected to work with her and help her out. And you all know how well that usually works out. Actually, we've done the party together with reasonable amicability in the past, but this year I just didn't want to deal with the stress of it.

So last night while everyone else was at the billiard parlor, I was home: washing and drying dishes, making dinner, and eating with my daughter and _storyteller_. And as I stood at the sink doing the dishes, I thought I do have a family commitment tonight: to spend quality time with my family and take care of them -- and be cared for by them. And that is far more important and desireable than spending four more hours with the people I see at work every day.

I didn't do the dishes, or make dinner, or eat dinner, or clean up after dinner, alone. I did it with my beloveds. It made me much happier than going to the office party.

And to add to the satisfaction and self-nurture of it, I have leftovers for lunch today!


Truly: my practice may not be growing as quickly as I would like, but I am growing and making progress in other ways.