Monday, June 11, 2018

keeping house



It was only when I got married that I lived away from my family. With our first home, I was excited to keep the house as clean as I could.  There was freedom in arranging our furniture, scheduling our own weekend activities and preparing meals.   It was like playing house, while remembering all that my mom told me about housekeeping.   With the freedom, came the burdens of keeping expenses within our means and making everyday household and meal decisions with my husband.  Good thing he was easy to please as my cooking skills were very basic and I was trying out different dishes for us.  Yes, there were burnt dishes, disaster meals, and arguments about groceries and bills.  We adjusted and moved on.  

Throughout my marriage and raising 3 children, my husband never asked me to quit my career. I was working full time, and he encouraged me to study further and pursue higher career goals.  It helped that his mother was a doctor and was also encouraged to work during her marriage.   The challenge for me, and for all working women, is to balance work, family life, and personal (alone) time.  It continues to this day. 


black birds and chickadees
peck on seeds under giant willow tree-
summer sun, red rose- 


Posted for dVerse Poets, Haibun Monday, with Bjorn Rudberg as host.   The theme is Freedom (benefits and consequences).  See you when the pub doors open at 3pm EST.  Thank you.

20 comments:

  1. The day will come when it won't be expected of women that they alone have to do the balancing. It takes two to make a child, the consequences should be shared too.

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  2. Beautifully told tale of marital harmony (mostly) Stunning Haiku.

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  3. I think freedom is meant for everyone... I love to cook so that is easy... but I think my wife still think she carries the heaviest burden.... Love the birds in your haiku

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  4. I like the way you describe the freedom of your marriage, Grace. It is sad that not all marriage are like yours. And I love the haiku!

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  5. Lovely writing! Finding balance in marriage can definitely be challenging!

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  6. Balancing it all sure can be tough at times. But the key is to keep on a trying indeed.

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  7. Having a family is a joy to balance.

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  8. We live in a time where two incomes are essential. The wife should not the full burden of housekeeping & parenting; smile.

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  9. An inspiring story, told in such an inspiring way!

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  10. It must be a constant juggling act. I like your haiku. Being married, working and raising children does feel like you are all perched on your own little branch. - Suzanne of 'Being in Nature'

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  11. The juggling act never ends. An endearing write and it's good to be reminded that there are other jugglers out there!

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  12. Very nice. Sounds like the freedom you had helped you balance it all well.

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  13. Ah, that balancing! It doesn't always feel like freedom, but I guess being free is about making our own choices.

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  14. It is great that you took it within your strides to be an ideal working wife. Some others buckled under the onslaught. It is a measure of a having a great hubby, Grace!

    Hank

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  15. Luv the way the haiku resonates the text to give that mood of alittle bit of this and a little bit of that

    Nice haibun

    Much♥️love

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  16. Freedom to choose one's path in life is truly a gift!

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  17. That's how it is supposed to be : ) BALANCED. Like a Bird on the wire (Cohen)
    ZQ

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  18. This topic is very dear to my heart, and I love your haiku! We just hung two birdfeeders today, one for hummingbirds and one for songbirds. I can't wait for our feathered friends to find them!

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  19. SMiLes
    Birds Fly
    Free without
    BurDens
    CulTuraL
    CLoThes Be
    Birds witHouT Wings..:)

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