This weekend we had a ton of fun in honor of my boy’s fourth birthday, which is today by the way. We went to Lancaster, PA in search of a real live steam engine and boy did we find it! I felt like a little kid again when the the big black iron train came rolling into the station for the first of six 45 minute tours (so you can imagine what it was like for Devin). And lets not forget the spectacle of Amish folk still driving horse and buggies on the highway. I swear those people have the right idea though: no internet, no cars, no commutes, no New York Times, no phones. It sounds like quite the peaceful life. We stayed at a Holiday Inn Express, and while I’m totally against free advertising, I must say that those little hotels have never disappointed me.
But as much fun as we had I can’t stop thinking about the trade-offs us common people have to resign ourselves to in life. This amazing two day trip that we went on means that it’s bologna and cheese for the next two weeks – and I absolutely hate bologna. Then, on a much bigger scale, it’s The Family: Phase Two* which I’m in now. My wife has officially been working part-time for a couple of weeks now, and I’m back to full-time and it sucks. If I’m lucky I get home from work with 30 minutes of Devin time still left in the day. If I’m not lucky the boy is fast asleep by the time I stumble into the house. The commute is simply murder.;I have to take a bus and a train just to get home. The trade off is that my boy is flourishing in school, and so much happier it’s ridiculous. My wife is even happier, and she proves it frequently now, as opposed to twice a month like in the past (sorry Mitch McDad!*).
Like any self respecting pessimist I must openly wonder: Is enjoying this great moment in time worth it? I’d like to think so, but what about the long term effects? I still live in the ‘hood, a good one, but the ‘hood nonetheless. My boy can’t go to school here in Sept. 2008, unless he’s in a gifted program. But we lost mucho income with the work schedule change, which limits my ability to move the family into a better neighborhood in the next year. (Maybe I should relocate like my girl Ebony Mommy.*) The reality is that my family is in a dubious situation masquerading as hunky-dory. Or am I just being a dramatic worry wart?
(*NOTE: My blog is acting the darn fool, and for some reason I can’t add hyper links at this time. Check out my blogroll for links to Mitch McDad and Ebony Mommy.)
It’s great that you guys had such a blast. I can’t wrap my head around the notion that it might not have been worth it, especially since you have less time to spend with your son, these days.
Happy Kid, Happy wife. For the price of Balogna, sounds like a good deal to me. As far as your kid starting school. You gotta year or so to work a plan.
I know you think you can’t afford a move right now, but take a look anyway. It’s a buyer’s housing market. You might be able to find something you can afford.
See…I don’t know your religious beliefs, but I am a firm believer that when that time comes, the whole school thing will work out! Enjoy the fact that both your wife and kid are happy, b/c in the long run, you as the man, u are forced to make the biggest sacrifice, but you will see the reward as well. Hang in there…my family is in a worse prediciment…but I know soon, something will break and we (my husband and the girls) will be able to live under one room in a nice neighborhood with wonderful schools! Until then, he will feel sad and lonely in his apartment over 2 hours away, and I will feel stressed and exhausted running around trying to keep up with a toddler and a newborn!
Happy birthday! My daughters turned 3 yesterday. Now they have another birthday buddy.
Enjoy the great moments.
Happy Birthday to Devin! Sounds like a lovely peaceful trip. I’m so glad the school thing is settling on down (and that you guys were able to pinpoint the issue and help him make it through). Come on- move to Texas! It’s the cool afroblogger thing to do (MrsJ is on her way too- next the WORLD! *muahahaha*) 🙂
September ’08? Time is definitely on your side. Start looking – you never know. We were blessed with a great house in the ‘burbs that we got for way under market value – they were divorcing and just wanted a quick sell. You never know. Glad you all had a good, happy birthday weekend!
Life seems like it’s nothing BUT trade-offs and compromises. And, to throw in another cliche, it’s full of changes.
I say we all become Amish. Except, with booze. And the NFL.