Monday, June 19, 2006

If I never left the house...

What would happen (or have happened) if you didn't leave your house today? How far-reaching would the effects of that action be?

That was my blog prompt this morning, and darned it all if I haven't stumped myself! I don't think the effects would have been very far reaching really, just on me and the kids. But then again.....

If we hadn't left the house, Emma would have given in to her fears about the first day of swimming lessons and possibly never gotten over them, thereby never learning to swim. And far off in the future there may be a moment when it is crucial that she has that skill. So not beginning that learning process today may have endangered her life or that of someone else.

If we hadn't left the house, George wouldn't have been so angry and jealous of his big sister playing in a pool and I would have several strands of hair still in my head, rather than his fist. And those strands would someday soon have turned white, aging me that much faster. Better to be bald, I suppose.

If we hadn't left the house, I would have paid a bunch of non-refundable money for unattended swimming lessons and I would be angry. And my anger knows no bounds. (Just kidding, I am a very mild-mannered person, especially when it comes to budgets and planned activities. Really. I am. I never stress.) (Jason, be quiet.)

If we hadn't left the house, we wouldn't have gone to the park before lunch and the kids wouldn't be as sleepy for naptime as they were today. And I wouldn't have interupted this blog entry for several minutes to go cuddle with Emma. Which would have left me feeling as if something were missing. Which would have made me sad. Which would have left me no choice but to lay on the couch eating chocolate and reading a trashy novel. Hmmmmmm. Might have to do that anyway.

If we hadn't left the house, we would all have been on each other's nerves by the time Jason gets home from work and he would walk in to a very unhappy household. And he would feel guilty for leaving the house each day. And he would go to work feeling bad tomorrow. And he would get in trouble for not leaving his personal problems at home. And he would get fired. And.....oh wait, you don't get fired in the Army. And they're actually pretty good about letting soldiers deal with personal stuff when they need to. But they might make him work off his frustration by doing a few extra sit-ups. And really, who wants to do extra, or any, sit-ups?

All in all, I'm pretty glad we left home today!!

7 comments:

loonyhiker said...

I don't think you mentioned if Emma liked her swimming lessons! Poor George! Maybe you can plan a special event for him during that time and make it like Emma has to go because she isn't invited to George's fun thing. I miss cuddling with my girls (who are now 30 and 31 and definitely not cuddly anymore!)

Sandra Holmes Stanton said...

Yes, how were the lessons? Poor George-- it's so hard when they are too young to really understand...

heather said...

OUCH - the hair pulling incident! Taking my eldest to swimming with the younger one in tow was an absolute nightmare for me. My eldest missed one season of lessons 'cause it just wasn't worth the hassle...! :)

Karen said...

Love your approach to prevention of grey hair strategy.

ArtcTrish said...

Don't worry about those lessons. Last year my dd was freakishly afraid of the pool and clung to the side. This year after a $5 bribe she is nearly swimming but completely under water 90% of the time we are in the pool!!! What a difference a year makes!

Unknown said...

It is interesting to see where one little event can lead. I loved reading what the consequences of your chosing to stay home may have had on your life.

Bonnie said...

I loved reading this! It made me smile..all the what if's...