A case of the block ...

I have writers block.

It's not because there is nothing to write about or because my children have stopped saying extremely funny and entertaining things.

I think it's because there is so much junk in my head from dealing with people who are just draining me.

Draining all energy and creativity. Draining fun and life and laughter.

Every day there is a new aggravation or irritation to deal with.

I'm not talking about my family or my friends. I'm talking about others. Actually, other.

I'm a worrier. I know that. I can overreact and freak out. I bite my nails. I choose the most bizarre times to care that the upstairs bathroom hasn't been cleaned in a while and the sink has turned a strange pale pink colour around the edges.

I have a low patience level for socks left on the floor of the living room and on the landings of the staircases and I make that known ... often ...

I yell at my children to stop them from yelling at each other and I totally get the crazy in that ...

I get angry sometimes when I have to make supper at the end of a long day ... and I know that's wrong because the alternative is to have my children go to bed hungry and I wouldn't ever want that, but honestly sometimes I'm just irritated that I don't have a personal chef ... and a maid ... to help out ...

BUT ... and it's a bit BUT ...

I try to let stuff GO.

I don't think I'm a bitter person. I know that there are things that happen, past and present, that are not so great and kind of suck, but I choose and continue to choose to move beyond and be happy and satisfied with what I have. All the blessings.

So when I have to deal with a person who chooses to see the negative in everything. Who chooses to create chaos and turmoil and friction and anger. Who chooses to try, everyday, to get under my skin, it is hard to be fun and creative and awesome around that person.

So I'm left with a bit of a block.

But - in keeping with my outlook on life - I need to move beyond this block. To just let it go and ignore all the bitterness that has seeped in around me purely by daily environmental association and MOVE ON.

So here's a little story ... however small ... it's a start ...

I went to High Park yesterday with Jackie Chan's class. It was fun. Sort of.

Twenty two children on a city streetcar during rush hour ... you can see where the line between fun and insane is somewhat blurred for me.

But we made it and had a great day - Jackie Chan even touched a Canada Goose (and was immediately scrubbed and sanitized) ... he was really thrilled at his goosy adventure. He chased it all the way into the pond. I believe he felt he was doing his part to help the poor bird get "home."

It was a day of adventures and I always like to congratulate myself on spending quality time with my child while helping a teacher in need of some parental assistance on a trip. I felt I had provided Jackie Chan with some good memories and that's always a good day.

So this morning while we were walking to school he said:

"Mommy ... I was on a streetcar with my whole class. Well, the whole two classes of Grade 2. And there were all kinds of other people on the streetcar at the beginning but then it was just us ... ALL BY OURSELVES on the streetcar. Isn't that so cool?"

I wasn't really sure how to break the news to him, so I thought it best to be blunt ... I just looked at him and sighed and smiled and said:

"I know babe ... I was there, remember?"

"OH ... yeah (laughs) I forgot"

And so I move on ... making memories regardless of the impact they have on my children. Because if anything, it really makes ME happy!