A Secret to Success as a Working Mom: Turn Burn Out Into Bliss and Embrace Joy

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Last weekend my youngest was committed to going to the "Water Steps" a man-made water fall in Pittsburgh by the rivers. (Fun Fact: Three rivers converge in Pittsburgh--The Ohio River, The Monongahela River, and the Allegheny River.)  He kept asking. I knew he was serious when he said, "If you won't take me, I'll ask  daddy!" Given that it was highly unlikely that would happen on an unscheduled day, I relented. So, we went. It wasn’t planned in the way most things in my life are. No calendar block. No checklist. No “productive” purpose attached. And, so in some respects it was uncomfortable. And yet, it seemed necessary. It was the idea of my 8-year-old—offered with the kind of urgency only children possess when something is profoundly important to them.
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Sometimes a kiss is just a kiss...

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I had an interesting conversation about kissing awhile ago. My date believed that kisses on the lips should be restricted to lovers. He was a little shocked when I told him that on occasion I kiss some of my male friends on the lips. He assumed that my relationships with these friends must be more than friendly. However, he was wrong.

To be clear, I don’t kiss all of my male friends this way, only those with whom I am very close. And, I don’t kiss them on the mouth all of the time. However, on occasion, my dearest friends and I have exchanged a kiss on the mouth and/or held hands.

We have never confused these gestures with romance because we recognize that there is a difference between what we do and what lovers do. Our friendship kisses are endearing rather than enticing. They are pecks without tongue or titillation. Simply put, they are sweet and innocent.

My date objected to my behavior. While I heard his objections, it is unlikely that I will change my practices. In a world where there’s heartache, violence and war, I am a fan of all expressions of affection. Besides, sometimes a kiss is just a kiss.
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Comments

Nuno Cabeçadas said…
I do hope you don't change yur behavior, regardless of what you hear. I agree with you and thankfully I'm reading it from somebody I admire.

Kisses :)
1:29 PM
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