My resolution for 2016: I’m going to love me. No, I’m not having self-esteem issues. I like myself, even though my pants are getting tighter, my posture isn’t as straight, and flecks of silver are mixing in with my remaining brown hairs.
“If my girls are happy, I’m happy.” I say this all the time, as taking care of my wife, Mattie, my tween daughter, Jessie, and our dog, Sadie, gives me joy. Of course, I’m responsible for my happiness, too … and for taking care of myself.
A few days ago, I took time to go to the doctor. For the past several months, I’ve woken up with a plugged ear. Usually, it opens up quickly, so I’ve tolerated it. Who has time to go to the doctor? I have a wife, daughter, and dog to care for, while trying to squeeze in a writing career.
Apparently, some wax had built up in my left ear. The nurse sprayed warm water into it as I held a plastic container to catch the water and ear wax that flushed out.
The nurse asked me, “Are you okay?”
I responded, “Yeah, as long as I don’t see water coming out of my right ear when you’re spraying it into my left one.” The wax proved stubborn, so the nurse added drops to loosen it up. While we waited for the drops to take effect, she pulled a little wax out of my right ear.
As I drove home from my ear tune-up, my mind raced with thoughts. With my wax-free ears, I wouldn’t need to tell Mattie or Jessie to “please turn up the TV” as often. Yet, maybe, due to Jessie talking excessively, which happens on occasion, and Sadie barking loudly, which happens frequently, I might miss my ear wax. I felt confident that I’d still have “selective hearing.” (It’s a husband thing.)
But mostly, I thought, “Wow, why didn’t I go to the doctor sooner?”
As I drove home, I pondered other things I should have done sooner. Before I reached my driveway, I calculated that it had been five months since I played tennis, my outlet for stress and favorite form of exercise. And, yes, more comfort foods have snuck into my diet, not just “two-doughnuts Thursdays.”
If I’m going to be around to see, enjoy, and be part of my family’s happiness, I need to take better care of me. I need to love me, so I can continue to love others. Sometimes I’ll need to say “No,” not only to ice cream and doughnuts, but also to demands on my time. I must also get more sleep, as I’ve been sacrificing zzzs in my attempt to steal extra minutes from my nights to pad my days.
I haven’t completed my list of New Year’s resolutions yet, but here’s a good start:
• Adequate sleep: seven hours instead of six or less.
• Exercise: tennis once a week.
• Appropriate choices from the basic food groups. (But I can’t give up “two-doughnut Thursdays” or ice cream as a bedtime snack.)
Okay, I didn’t say I’d meet all my resolutions. But I’m going to try to do better, because I love me, and I love my family. A gym I drive by daily has a sign out front that says, “Strive for progress, not perfection.”
In 2016, I’ll schedule my annual physical. Recently, I had a colonoscopy, so I’m okay there for a few years. But whether it’s getting exercise, a physical, or a colonoscopy, it’s important to set aside time to care for our bodies … so our bodies can care for (and try to keep up with) our children.
Until next month, remember to cherish the moments. Happy New Year!
Patrick Hempfing had a 20-year professional career in banking, accounting, and auditing before he became a father at age 44. He is now a full-time husband, stay-at-home dad, and writer. Follow him at www.faceb
