LJ Idol week 37 - Quick Fire

[jexia]

Eleanor was happy with her life, until she wasn't. It came upon her quite suddenly one day, when she was filling out her daughter's baby book. First smile? First tooth? First word? Eleanor tried to remember, but it all blurred into a drift of exhaustion, jumbled with memories of Jasmine's big brothers. A first smile isn't quite so exciting when

Comments

[i_17bingo]

A first smile isn't quite so exciting when three other babies have done it before.

Without children of my own, I don't know what it's like to run into a routine like this. I like to think that my parents took some joy in the way that my middle sister and I doted over my baby sister and lost our shit over every little achievement. Or maybe they were just bored. At five years old, I really can't remember.

This story of exhaustion is actually quite sweet. Sure there's a sense of duty and low-grade frustration, but there's also a sense of love that even loads and loads laundry can't kill (considering how many loads I do during the week for just two people and how that wears me out, I get overwhelmed just thinking about adding three more into the mix.)

Her sleep debt was a carefully balanced budget, and she had to meet the payments.

I like the way you put this.

[jexia]

My initial version ended at "Maybe she was too old for firsts. Maybe all her life offered now was lasts, slipping by unnoticed, unneeded." but I decided it was a little too bleak ;)

And thanks - I particularly like that line, and it speaks to my experience!

And thanks for commenting. Was starting to think everyone hated this one. :/

[i_17bingo]

Comments are weird. I found that I would get a ton of votes for pieces with the fewest comments.

I'm a Golden Rule kind of guy, so I will comment on everything I read, even if I don't vote for them. Me, I'd rather get a comment than just a little click in a poll.

[jexia]

I've had vice versa too - really appreciative comments on a piece that put me in the bottom 9though with immunity). Eh, what can you do?

[bleodswean]

You've done a great job here capturing that itchy feeling so many mothers experience at some point or another. I'm glad you let her fall asleep and hopefully that sleep will be healing and she wakes with renewed energy and joy.

[jexia]

Thanks so much. This piece is pretty personal and currently relevant, as you might have guessed.

[ext_2828400]

Ah, the "Is this it?" feeling that all parents experience (surely it can't be just mothers). Nicely illustrated, good to read that she finds some peace again at the end :-)

[jexia]

Thanks :)