"Meditations" by a Roman Emperor

"In the life of a man, his time is but a moment, his being an incessant flux, his senses a dim rushlight, his body a prey of worms, his soul an unquiet eddy, his fortune dark, and his fame doubtful. In short, all that is of the body is as coursing waters, all that is of the soul as dreams and vapours: life a warfare, a brief sojourning in an alien land; and after repute, oblivion. Where, then, can man find the power to guide and guard his steps? In one thing and one alone: philosophy."


Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180)

And I Cry Daily

I was sleeping and being comforted
by a cool breeze, when suddenly a gray dove
from a thicket sang and sobbed with longing,
reminding me of my own passion.

I had been away from my own soul so long,
so late sleeping, but that dove's crying
woke me and made me cry. 'Praise
to the early morning grievers!'

~Adi al-Riga

It's not so bad

I spend a great deal of time doing my own thing, so it's not such a bad life after all. My kids all have their interests, my husband loves to bike ride and drink with friends many times a week, so that frees me up for what I want to do. As a teacher I have summers off, though the district keeps shrinking the summer. As long as I pay the bills, clean the house, make the food, solve the problems, maintain the pets, cars and health of all under this roof, there will be peace.

But when I want to go somewhere, I have to either sneak out or engage in WW111. That is my biggest issue. I want to be free to go, go. I don't want to hear no, no.
It's my life too!