Updated: August 3, 2016
Originally Published: April 10, 2015
Somehow, I manage to roll out of bed and into a steamy shower. As I go through the motions of getting ready, I accidentally spray my face with hairspray. Unsurprisingly, it’s as awful as it sounds. Hairspray tastes like a mix of crushed aspirin and tin can shards. Gazing at my reflection, I cringe. My roots are a disaster. What percentage of this mess is gray? Is it 20%? Maybe even 30%? And how can my skin be so dry while I have these odd patches of zits on my cheeks? Ugh. I really need to prioritize self-care, but that can wait. I just need to survive today.
It’s preschool drop-off day, and we’re running late. I throw bread into the toaster oven, only to realize ten minutes later that I forgot to turn it on. In a frantic rush, I toss a handful of cereal to the kids and swallow an ibuprofen myself. With my partner’s help, we somehow manage to get everyone out the door and into the car.
Driving is a challenge when every turn sends pain shooting through my neck. I turn on the radio for distraction, but it’s filled with relentlessly cheerful tunes. Ugh. What I really want is some Alanis Morissette, you know?
After dropping off the twins at preschool, I head home with my little one, Mia. The ibuprofen on an empty stomach has made my lips numb, yet the pain in my neck still howls every time I press the gas or brake. I catch Mia’s sweet gaze in the rearview mirror and silently apologize for the number of Daniel Tiger episodes I’ll resort to instead of taking her to playgroup today. I just need a break.
Suddenly, the radio blares with a guy singing about how this day is “gonna be the best day of [his] li-i-i-i-i-i-iiiife.” That’s just absurd, I think. How could he possibly know? He sounds so young. If he has another 50 or 60 years ahead, wouldn’t it be a bit sad if all those days were eclipsed by this one?
Then, a more unsettling thought strikes me: Am I already past my best day? If so, what day was that? If not, will I even recognize it when it happens? Do any of us really know?
I start to sift through my life’s highlights. The exhilarating days of falling in love with my partner were amazing, but I was so young then. The day I became a mom was monumental but also exhausting and painful. It wouldn’t be fair to tell my youngest, “Your sisters’ births were great, but yours wasn’t the best.”
Vivid memories flood my mind: a mountain of Turkish Delight at a London market, the breathtaking view from a hilltop on a tiny Maine island, a cozy soup and crackling fireplace in the wet, green Scottish woods. I realize how fortunate I am; I’ve experienced many wonderful days. Perhaps the best day has already passed, but I’m holding onto hope that the best is yet to come. After all, what is life without something to anticipate?
I ponder what “the best day” would look like in my current, responsibility-laden life. Would it involve my kids, or would it be a much-needed getaway without them? Would I want it to be at home, or in some exotic locale? Can one even plan for such a day, or must it be a surprise, like an unexpected gift?
One thing is clear: today is not that day. But tomorrow could be. So, I’m going to splurge on some quality face serum, get my roots done, and seek help for this persistent pain. I want to be prepared for those best days of my life, whenever they arrive and whatever they look like. I turn up the volume on that happy guy’s song. This might not be the best day of my life, but it’s certainly not the worst, and it won’t be the day I start wearing beige slacks.
If you’re interested in the topic of home insemination, check out our post on the at-home insemination kit for more insights. For those looking for a comprehensive approach, this resource on intrauterine insemination is an excellent guide. Plus, if you want to delve deeper into the mechanics, consider the authority on this topic, BabyMaker’s syringe kit combo.
Summary
This piece reflects on the challenges of a chaotic day in the life of a parent, filled with self-doubt and the quest for self-care amidst the chaos of family responsibilities. It ponders the nature of the “best day” and emphasizes the importance of hope and anticipation for future joys.
Keyphrase: Best Day of My Life
Tags: [“home insemination kit” “home insemination syringe” “self insemination”]