My Computer

Meet my computer.

About 18 months ago it was whole, but like most of us, it did not escape quarantine unscathed.  

The day I found my youngest ripping off its keys and squealing with delight, I snapped, quickly devolving into a crying, yelling mess. Watching my computer get destroyed was just one more stress I wasn’t sure I could handle.

Because you see, my computer is pretty much my only possession that’s 100% mine. Hair brushes, lotion, elastics, even my iPhone often disappear. At least one dish or vase or wine glass gets smashed every week. And my rugs are covered in goldfish crumbs no matter how often I vacuum. But my computer is different. It houses my manuscripts, my ideas, my innermost thoughts. It is sacred.

Until it wasn’t.

It took me a couple hours to think of a solution. And then it clicked. A wireless keyboard! Of course! An hour later, the maimed keys were gone, the new keyboard was working. All was right with the world.

While I have considered buying a new computer, the truth is for now I’m happy with mine. Some days I’m even grateful for the destruction that led me to such luxuriously large keys. Because that’s the thing about motherhood. Accidents happen. The only way to survive them is to take a deep breath and pivot. And to embrace the silver linings amidst the chaos.