Five Minutes

It's amazing what a five minute time difference can do in life. I'm not talking about a philosophical, introspective, religious point of view regarding five simple minutes and how it can change your life for the better or be a difference between life and death. I'm talking about a five minute change in schedule, in routine.

For the past ten years our neighbourhood school has started its day at nine fifty-five in the morning. This year, in an attempt to meet the budget given the district by the government, the schools are beginning five minutes earlier. It's been over two weeks and I still can't get my child to school before that beginining bell. I tell myself to leave earlier but still the sense of urgency to get to school doesn't start until that internally programmed time based on the past ten years.

Oh, and yes, I still take my kids to school - not because I'm an overprotectice mother or because we are far from the school but because I have so many kids that they range in ages throughout the school system and beyond. So, after I've driven one to band at one school, and dropped one off at the bus stop that was on the way, I go home to make sure another one gets out the door to meet his friends to walk to school and then I piggyback my almost five year old to his morning kindergarten (it gives me some much needed exercise). It's quite a bit of a morning and I do find that I'm thriving with it - thoroughly enjoying the routine after the haphazardness of the summer break - but I just am having issues with this five minute time difference.

Sigh. Who would have known that five little minutes could be so difficult to rearrange in my mind? It's a little thing - or five little things - but some times it's the little things that are the hardest to overcome. What's that saying: "Don't sweat the small stuff?" Guess I better learn that, eh? I hope it's not something you have to learn aswell. Keep your chin up and enjoy the day!!! :)