My Daily Perfect Moment

I recently finagled a work schedule modification that allows me to be home in time to meet the twins getting off the bus.

The change was to address some learning difficulties that Mina is experiencing. She needs more time to do the homework she has, and more work at home to keep up with her class work. A 6 o'clock arrival time at the end of the day just wasn't enough time for that, and everything else there is to do.

So, I made the switch, and I'll admit it was grudgingly. Nothing says, "Not promotion material" like a prior to 3 pm departure time. Thanks to the current high levels of technology, I can access my work folders from home and am able to keep up on all my work, but as anyone who works in an office environment knows, it's the face to face time that creates familiarity and establishes a comfort level with coworkers, managers, The Boss.

And, yes, leaving early, no matter how many hours I work at home in the evenings, mornings and weekends, makes me feel like a slacker. All evidence to the contrary.

It's worth it, though. And not just for the small steps, but headed in the right direction, which Mina is making in her studies. That's taken a week or so to realize, and we have lots of big steps to make yet.

No, it felt worth it the first day I arrived home early, and emerged from the house to watch the twins get off the bus, catch sight of me and come running. I found myself smiling and quickening my steps in response; we met half way in a three way hug, and the moment was...perfect.

Now I have that perfect moment every day.

(Unfortunately it lasts just about as long as it took me to take the above picture. Once the hugging is over and we head for the front door, the wheedling for a candy bar for snack and first dibs on movie selection have started. But maybe I wouldn't appreciate it so much if it wasn't so brief...)