I’ve done something I’ve never done before…I’ve asked for a day off.

This weekend marks a festival that my dad would always take me to, and naturally it’s one I’d take the boys to growing up. We haven’t been for years, and out of the blue the middle one requested a trip to it for his birthday present…just him and I since our birthdays are one day apart.

I put in the request, and was instantly approved even though my boss’ eyes widened when she heard a bit of sickiness in my voice and then proclaimed…”No, you can’t be sick. I need you.”

It’s just one day, and as we were getting buried yesterday, I had a moment of anxiety thinking of what the next Sunday would entail without me being there. I had to double-check with my son to make sure he still wanted to go through with the plans, otherwise I’d just work knowing how much they’d need me. …how ridiculous is that? It’s the pressure I’ve put on myself to make up for the unplanned days I was forced to miss last year due to the cancer. I really wish I didn’t do that myself.

But he talked it out with me. How he got to be so grown at nearly 24 is beyond me, but we ultimately decided together to give ourselves the day that we’re genuinely jazzed for.


He doesn’t know it really, but it’s the best gift he could’ve given me.