Too Busy, by Lynn Messing

28/1/2022

They say androids don’t exist yet; they never met Sharon.

True, she is technically human, but she may as well be an android.
Widowed, mother of twin toddlers, working three jobs to make ends meet. She scoffs at people who claim to have no free time but who then watch television or go online. She doesn’t even have a Facebook account. Every waking minute is full. She even hurries when using the toilet; while she is doing so, the twins, unsupervised, are in danger. She’s too busy to feel emotions.

They say androids don’t exist yet; they never met Sharon.

Fliss Zakaszewska

28/1/2022 06:03:25 pm

I think all Mums feel for Sharon, but I was never that efficient when my kids were little, and that was pre-internet! Nice one, Lynn.

Lynn Messing

31/1/2022 02:58:53 pm

Thank you, Fliss. Necessity made me be that efficient.

Jim Bartlett link

28/1/2022 07:55:03 pm

Sadly, there are a lot of androids out there too busy to feel emotions.
Well done, Lynn
Jim

Lynn Messing

31/1/2022 03:00:38 pm

I had been one such android when my son was younger. But now that I am retired and my son is grown, I’m back to being human.

Jennifer Duncan

28/1/2022 07:57:21 pm

Poor Sharon. I hope she can get some balance in her life. Doesn't sound healthy for her or her children.

Lynn Messing

31/1/2022 03:01:37 pm

It isn’t healthy, but sometimes it is the only option.

Pamela Kennedy

28/1/2022 09:11:25 pm

Too many Moms (and Dads) now days are in Sharon's position-overworked and not a moment of peace for themselves. Nicely told, Lynn.

Lynn Messing

31/1/2022 03:04:05 pm

So true. It is indeed both the best and the worst of times when kids are young. The minutes sometimes drag on forever when one is pushing oneself to accomplish things despite overwhelming exhaustion, but the years fly by all too quickly.

Doug

28/1/2022 10:57:28 pm

Sometimes some people take too much for granted. Well told.

Lynn Messing

31/1/2022 03:04:28 pm

Thank you, Doug.

Sue Clayton

29/1/2022 12:42:34 am

Sharon should take a time-management course. But she probably doesn't have the time. I feel for all the Sharon's trying to cope.

Lynn Messing

31/1/2022 03:04:57 pm

Definitely a Catch-22.

Rob Wolf

29/1/2022 02:13:54 am

What kind of life is that to wake up to every day? An unexamined life that’s not worth living.

Lynn Messing

31/1/2022 03:12:11 pm

At the risk of being presumptuous, I would respectfully disagree with both you and Socrates. I can’t imagine a much more worthwhile life than one spent doing one’s best to raise the next generation. I would answer your question by saying that such a life is incredibly difficult, utterly exhausting, and almost impossibly demanding, but also fulfilling, meaningful, and indeed worthwhile.

I am saying all of this from experience — although the specifics of Sharon’s situation differed from my own, the insane busy-ness and the having to numb one’s feelings to cope were very much a part of my life for a few years.

Sandra James

29/1/2022 05:05:35 am

I've never met Sharon but I'd like to - maybe give her a break from all her chores, just for a little recharge 💛

Lynn Messing

31/1/2022 03:12:37 pm

I’m sure she would be most grateful.

Candace Arthuria Williams

29/1/2022 03:00:38 pm

So sorry that androids like Sharon have such a tough row to hoe. God bless her and the kids.

Lynn Messing

31/1/2022 03:13:30 pm

I would hope that when the children get a bit older, things will slow down a little for her.

Paritosh Chandra Dugar

29/1/2022 04:15:23 pm

Sharon, I know you're too busy to listen to my compassionate words for you. Oh!

Lynn Messing

31/1/2022 03:16:40 pm

Patriosh, I am sure she would appreciate your kind words.

Meredith Asuru

30/1/2022 11:27:45 am

Dear Sharon,

Do take a break before you break. Trust me, ends will still meet if you sleep at least six (6) hours per day. Plus, stop hurrying in the rest room. You might miss the inspiration that changes your life forever.

Lynn Messing

31/1/2022 03:23:07 pm

As a former Sharon myself, I can say that sometimes one doesn’t have either of those luxuries. At age 20, my son (who has severe autism as well as some other special needs) still requires constant supervision to stay safe. For example, my front door has three different locks; he can open all three in about half a minute, and he has been known to try to leave the house and go wandering while I am relieving myself. Keep in mind that he has very few self-preservation skills and might easily wander into traffic or go off with a stranger. If I were to have lingered at all while he was still living at home, it could easily have been the death of him.

Jenny Logan

30/1/2022 12:27:12 pm

Gosh, I admire Sharon. She's doing the best she can for her wee ones. I hope things get easier for her ultimately.

Lynn Messing

31/1/2022 03:24:04 pm

I’m sure they would eventually. She just needs to keep going until they do.

Dee Lorraine

31/1/2022 03:24:04 pm

Thanks for your story, Lynn. I remember those days, Lynn. You do what you have to do, and count on God's grace and mercy to see you through. (My son is grown now, too.)

On a related note, perhaps Sharon will meet Edison the Android some day. (See my response to your comment on Ian's story, a few stories before yours.)

Lynn Messing

31/1/2022 03:37:28 pm

It was indeed a miracle that my son may it to us first birthday, much less his twentieth. When he was a baby, the only thing he could keep down was a formula that had only been invented seven year earlier. Had he been born prior to that, he would have died a slow and painful death from starvation.

A meeting between Edison and Sharon would be interesting, indeed. Maybe Edison could babysit for her?

Lynn Messing

1/2/2022 01:11:51 am

Autocorrect: Arg! I meant to type “It is indeed a miracle that he made it to his first birthday.” On each of his birthdays, I always say an extra prayer of thanks that he survived another year.

Alyce

2/2/2022 11:59:39 pm

This is such a powerful, well-written story, Lynn. I was also moved by your comments- the challenges you faced, the grace in which you persevered. Thank you for sharing.

Lynn Messing

3/2/2022 10:43:06 am

Thank you, Alyce. But I think the only grace I had was God's, not mine.

Comments are closed.

Too Busy, by Lynn Messing

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Too Busy, by Lynn Messing

"Classic"100-WordStories﻿

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"Classic"
100-Word
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