One day this past week, an email popped into my inbox. The email was from someone I respect, asking if I was interested in joining the board of an organization I also respect.
I was surprised.
Flattered.
Conflicted.
This past week, Stanton was out of town for work Monday through Thursday. He arrived back home just in time for Anna's elementary-school science fair on Thursday evening. On Wednesday evening, Grace played her cello in a district-wide music performance...which began minutes after Anna's travel-soccer-team practice ended.
I read this email, then, in the midst of a particularly busy week. The whole week, I dashed from one commitment to the next: school drop-off—work—school pickup—one kid's after-school activity—the other kid's after-school activity.
And dentist appointments. The girls also had dentist appointments on Thursday, wedged in between work/school and Anna's science fair.
And dentist appointments.
I thought about what it would be like, friends, to say yes to this volunteer opportunity.
As many of you know, I already serve on the board of the PTA for Anna's school. What I most enjoy about this board position is the community-building I get to do.
I love going to the school events the PTA plans—like the science fair this past week, and an ice-skating party and Scholastic book fair a few weeks before that—and welcoming everyone and chatting, making students and their families feel part of the school community. I get a lot of joy and energy from that.
And before the events happen—before the community-building takes place—I handle the communications piece, of spreading the word via mass email, social media and face-to-face conversations. I put what I've learned professionally (and what I believe in, personally) into my volunteer-based communications and community-building efforts.
"You must be doing a good job on the school PTA, if people are reaching out about other positions," a friend said to me.
"But," another friend wondered, "you don't hate yourself that much, do you? To keep volunteering for things?"
I began laughing so hard, friends, I almost fell over. It was a valid question, after all.
Did I hate myself that much?
😉
I thought about this potential volunteer opportunity. Another board position, related to community-building and communications. A chance to get more involved in my community.
It probably could work. I probably could do it.
But...ultimately, I didn't want to add "one more thing" to my life...at least, not right now.
For the first time in a long time, I have a work schedule that is pretty much exactly what I need, and want. I'm so grateful for that, as many of you know.
I so appreciate being able to "be there" when the girls get home from school, and I even appreciate driving them all over creation after school: music performances, soccer practices, science fairs, everything and anything. Even though all that stuff can be exhausting, especially when Stanton isn't able to pitch in...I actually love it—all of it.
I really missed that for the two and a half years I worked so many evenings and weekends at the library.
Besides the girls (and my husband, too, of course 😉 ), I really appreciate having time at the end of the day for the other important relationships in my life: family members, friends, neighbors who are also friends. When my brothers and sister FaceTime me, or my mom or mother-in-law calls, or my neighbor texts to invite me across the street to get together...I love all of that too.
Also...I need to get a haircut, and I haven't made an appointment yet. My car is due for its yearly state inspection—that's another must-do I need to set up. Yesterday was the first day of spring, officially, which means I need to start shaving my legs a little more regularly again because, you know, fewer leggings, more dresses.
So yes, friends...I have unfinished personal business going on too.
As a gift to myself, I had to decline this additional volunteer opportunity, as flattered as I was by it. "Thank you so much for thinking of me, but unfortunately, I can't add another commitment to my schedule right now," I emailed the person back. Thankfully, they understood.
Maybe a year or two down the road, I'll feel as though I can tackle another volunteer opportunity.
As of this moment, though...the only extra thing I'm adding to my to-do list is "shave legs."
Photo credit: Pixabay
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