felt hurt and jealous. And then I felt horribly guilty because I know you haven’t done a single thing wrong. You have every right to adopt if that’s what you want to do, and it’s awful of me to resent it.
I know you didn’t realize any of this, and you probably wish I hadn’t told you. But in case I do or say something mean, which I’m trying not to, but if I do, I wanted you to understand why. You’re my friend, and I don’t want that to change. It’s just going to take some time to work through this. I’m sorry.
Love,
Brenna
* * *
From:
Zelia Muzuwa
To:
Brenna L.
Subject:
You poor darling!
* * *
Bren,
I wish you’d told me ages ago! I’m so terribly sorry. I didn’t know you were suffering like that. Thank you for talking to me about it. How can I help you? I won’t talk any more about the adoption, if you don’t want me to. I don’t want to hurt you. Oh, Brenna! I could just cry thinking about what you must be going through! And Darren, too! Please tell me we’re still friends.
Love,
Z
* * *
From:
Brenna L.
To:
Zelia Muzuwa
Subject:
Re: You poor darling!
* * *
You’re so sweet, Z. But there’s nothing much you can do. Thanks for asking, though. And please, don’t stop talking about the adoption. I can’t stand the thought that you all are hiding it from me or trying to protect me. I’ll learn to deal with it, I promise. Of course you’re still my friend! Don’t you ever doubt it!
Brenna
* * *
From:
Dulcie Huckleberry
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
New Year’s depression
* * *
Ugh! I feel rotten, guys. It never fails—as hard as I try to ignore Rosalyn’s lofty goals each year, by the end of the week, the entire discussion has me in a foul mood. I should go “no-mail” the week after New Year’s, just to avoid this very situation, but I’m so hooked on loop messages, I can’t stand the thought of going without for even seven days. So I read everyone’s goals (dreams, whatever) and always end up feeling like a complete failure.
Where is my life going, I ask you? NOWHERE! Z has her adoption, Jocelyn has the parenting classes, everyone seems to have something they want to work on or accomplish—except me.
I was so frustrated today! My house is a mess, and the second I begin trying to clean up, the phone rings, or the twins start fighting with each other, or McKenzie decides to bug me about something. I can’t get anything done! And I’m so far behind, I don’t even know where to start. And I can’t find anything, to save my life.
I was looking for the phone number of our plumber because I thought it was really high time we got our ice-maker in the fridge installed. We bought the fridge new eight months ago and never put in the water line for the ice. But the stupid little business card is lost in a mountain of papers and bills, and I can’t seem to remember the guy’s name. If I had a household binder, like Rosalyn preaches, I’d have all that info in one place. But I keep thinking, “I’ll do that after I get this mess cleaned up, so I don’t have to search for all the information to go in the binder.” And does the mess get cleaned up? NEVER!
My life is going nowhere fast. By the time I get out of bed, dress, and have the children dressed and fed, it’s time to start lunch. And by the time lunch is over and the children are taking naps, I want a nap, too! Then it’s time to cook supper, and after the dishes are done and everyone cleaned up, it’s almost bedtime. And what have I accomplished? Absolutely nothing.
What is WRONG WITH ME?
Dulcie
* * *
From:
The Millards
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Re: New Year’s depression
* * *
You have preschoolers, that’s what! LOL!
Seriously, Dulcie, I felt the same way when my kids were that age, and still do at times. It does get better. But you might want to consider evaluating your daily routine and seeing what changes you could make to it. I have some worksheets from our parenting class that I could send you, if you’re interested. They might help you figure out how you could tweak things to work better.
Love ya!
Jocelyn
* * *
From:
P. Lorimer
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Re: New Year’s depression
* * *