...Manic Monday

Today was a late day at the office, a consequence of frantically attempting to meet erratically imposed deadlines. While working well past dinner time, my blackberry vibrated. It was Ari calling, "Papa...when are you coming home? ...At what time?" I tried to explain that I would be home later tonight, but that I could not tell him exactly when. The disappointment in his voice was strident.

Then, thirty minutes later, the blackberry vibrated again. This time it was Gabriela calling, "Papa...when are you coming home?" A deep breath later, I tried to explain, "I'll be heading home soon, after I finish my project...." She read the situation well, and in a moment of wisdom and kindness offered a bit of understanding, "I love you Papa, Goodnight."

Arriving home from work after the kids have gone to bed is fortunately a very rare occurrence, yet I still wonder about those few hours I missed and those other manic moments...the frenzied tales told by children at the end of the day.