Day 30: Reminders

When quarantine first hit, I cleared the Google calendar for the next three weeks. It was a clean delete without deliberation … basically what I want to do with my inbox every.single.day.

The first reminder popped up on Monday, April 6 – Ezra, Orthodontist. His sweet little (emphasis on little) mouth needs it, and it’s going to cost 5K for Round One. Who has that kind of money? I’m happy to push this off.

On Tuesday, April 7, it was Danielle, Babysitting. It takes a special person to handle Troy Boys, and one of the perks of teaching 120 college students/semester is the pool of potential babysitters. In 4 years, I’ve found 2 who jive with our after-school dystopia. Danielle, we love and miss you (me the most. Why did I not have you quarantine with us?)

On Wednesday, April 8, it was Jesse – Climbing. My extroverted, energetic almost 12-year-old man-child needs a wall to climb, followed by a grab-bag of other adventurous alternatives to put his survival on the line so he’ll stop messing with his brothers. I’m about ready to bust into the Rec with a hose full of Purex to spray that sucker down. First, I need to get a hose. I also don’t have Purex.

On Thursday, April 9, it was Danielle – Babysitting. Danielle, you’re just taunting me now.

On Saturday, April 10, it was Bible study in the morning, which we’re doing (thank you, Google Hangouts) and church in the evening, which we’re doing, but now on Sunday mornings in Bean socks and bathrobes.

Last Sunday was Easter (wrote about that) and last week, the reminders were in full mode, popcorning my days with dings about everywhere our family was supposed to be if it weren’t for where we are.

[insert existential pause]

So basically I’m Gwynth Paltrow in Sliding Doors – a 1998 chick-flick that shows a dual life based on whether Gwynth makes it through the – catch it – sliding doors of the subway on one fateful day. Now, my dual life doesn’t have the mixed love interest (I’m still married to Matt in both versions) or the cool haircut (I did in the 90s!) but …

But …

It’s definitely a mood (as my students would put it if we were in office hours, which Google tells me happens today, 1-4PM). It’s a little funky, but I’m going keep the reminders coming because who doesn’t like to be in the center of their own Choose Your Own Adventure that none of us chose?

Still.

Where else are you supposed to be today (if it weren’t for where you are)?