I had awarded myself a well earned `day off' from home and
children. Everything was set up for me to be able to go away
and "not to worry..."
So there I was with hours to call my own, to do whatever my
heart desired...
The first thing on my list was to pick up my checkbooks at
the bank and withdraw 200 shekalim, enough to cover
what I needed to buy and leave me some leeway to
splurge. I had to stand on 2 different lines and it took me
twenty minutes in the bank.
I then went off looking for a watchmaker and had my
wristwatch battery changed. It had been lying in the drawer
for weeks; I never found time to take care of things like
this.
As I looked at my watch, appreciating the new dimension of
time in my life, I saw how quickly it was flying. I quickened
my pace and headed for a sewing shop, where I bought some
spools of black and navy thread so that I could go home and
finally get some mending done on the leaning tower of boys
pants that would not hold another item.
I had a coupon for new film, so I went to that particular
camera shop and bought the film on sale.
"How did it get to be noon time so quickly?" No wonder I was
getting hungry. When was the last time I had been away from
the kitchen for so long? I had missed out on my usual three
cups of morning coffee.
I think I'll treat myself to some pizza. Just to sit
down quietly in an inobtrusive corner and eat a whole
slice all by myself. All by myself... Would I gag on so
much?
I looked at my list. Kippot and tzitzis for the
menfolk. The store closed at 1:30; I had better hurry.
The rest of the time was really all my own. I bought a book I
had wanted to read and after browsing around the bookstore, a
pastime I hadn't indulged in for years, I went off to the
park and found myself a bench under a shady tree.
Children were playing tag around my bench, but they weren't
mine, so I didn't have to watch their safety or referee. How
relaxing!
After an hour of reading and watching the children, I yawned
and stretched myself a bit. I couldn't help thinking about
mine. What were they doing?
If I could get home by 4:30, I would still be able to take
them out to the park near my house. I couldn't believe it,
but I missed them. I really think I have had enough for
the day.
