Krista Mournet

I never thought I would say that. Ever.

In my line of work, I spend a lot of time “in my head.” I dissect ancient texts, ponder esoteric theories, formulate intellectual arguments. A lot of it is very abstract. I love it. But on occasion, it is helpful to come home to a dirty little bottom that needs wiping.

I have a son who is four and a half. Of course we have the potty training thing down by now, but you know, some things take time to learn. I am still called upon on occasion to offer assistance. But not as much anymore. And I’m beginning to see how I’m going to miss that. As he grows older and becomes more self-sufficient, I’ll become less necessary, on a moment-to-moment basis. That’s as it should be. But I’ll need to find other things to ground me; things that need cleaning or folding, quotidian tasks that get me blessedly out of the world of ideas for a little while.

What about you? What brings you back to reality?