Dear Jackrabbit,
I’m sorry, boy, but there’s no letter today. Dad is kind of bushed.
It’s been a busy number of weeks working on a bunch of different projects, and I’ve new projects coming up. In addition to this, there has been work around the house, laundry, dishes, and other bits of maintenance. Today I spent an hour and a half assembling an IKEA dresser for you today that’s been sitting around since before Christmas.
Cup of PG Tips with a splash of milk. A cookie. Later, maybe pair it with a Sleater-Kinney album and a book about whaling ships.
Today, however, I also really needed some time to work on some of my own, more personal projects. You see, daddy writes. Occasionally he sells some of it–which is nice. Sometimes he just shares it. In either case, daddy writes. Today I needed to spend some time on some short story and poetry revisions. I also needed to finish a column on live-streamed role-playing games. In a similar vein, I’ve been editing some past pieces of tabletop games, and mapping out future pieces on role-playing games.
Sometimes I just need to work on some stuff that’s for me.
In this, there is a lesson for you.
You have to take care of yourself sometimes.
Okay, at your current age (five months) this may be difficult to grasp, but you’ll understand when you’re older. Probably in your teens you’re going to start feeling the pressure of having obligations. Homework, for one thing. Maybe other commitments. And as you get older still, there will be more obligations, more things an adult has to do.
Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t resent having to do the things I have to do to help keep the house going. I don’t resent having to work to pay bills. I don’t resent having to keep clothes and dishes clean. I don’t resent assembling IKEA dressers. Some obligations are also honors and if it’s for you and your mother, I’d do anything. (And don’t forget, your mom works a lot, too.)
At the same time, I need to remember to take some time for myself. Today I worked on some writing that had nothing to do with you (sorry, boy). Tomorrow I may listen to a few record albums while your mother has you off at church. I might sit and read a couple of chapters from a book. I might even make a cup of tea.
(I am also making a Shepherd’s Pie for dinner tomorrow. Yum!)
When you get older and have obligations–welcome or not–always remember that you need to take care of yourself, too. Play a game. Read a book. Paint a picture. Take a nap.
Whatever you need to do.
As for our old man here…it’s past midnight and I still have some work to finish up–packaging up a book of plays by Jules Verne for press, and go through some edits for a book on the Chinese film industry. Washing some bottles and pacifiers. Tomorrow there are more household chores, but also there will be time for music, games, and/or a nap. I have images to edit for a book on old movie Westerns, but I may also draw something.
So, as you can see, boy… there is no time to write you a letter today.
Sorry about that.
You’ll understand when you’re older.
Still, remember this… spending time with you and your mother does not fall under the category of More Work. Instead, those fall under Self Care. You both remind me why I do what I do. I do what I do so I can keep on enjoy spending time with you.
Sounds convoluted? It’s not… but I’m a bit tired. So.. no letter today, but we’ll have plenty of time together when tomorrow comes.
All my love,
–Dad
