Just Sayin’

My mother-in-law gave me a gift card for a massage and facial for my birthday. In May. Nope, not this past May, the one before that.   

Life was super chaotic in 2019. Then, in 2020, it got weird. Just a few weeks ago, I finally scheduled and had my day of relaxation. It was heavenly!

Am I the only one guilty of doing for everyone else and not taking nearly enough time for my own self-care? As my esthetician wrapped hot towels around my head and I thought I might slip straight into a permanent coma of relaxation, I wondered silently why I waited so long!

It’s funny because when my kids were babies, I thought life couldn’t get any busier. But then they turned ten and eight with sports and activities galore! I never appreciated those Mom’s Taxi bumper stickers until now! I definitely get it! It seems like we are always on the go. 

I visualize down the road to when they’re (gulp) driving themselves to their events. When they need me less and less. Then, when they go off to college, get married start their own families. It seems far away. But I know how incredibly fast these past ten years have flown and I know all of that is closer than it seems. 

So, while I know I need to take a little more time to take care of myself along the way, the day will come when I’ll have maybe too much time on my hands! Everyone says I’ll be ready for it. But right now, I’m not so sure. It makes my heart hurt thinking about it.

In the meantime, I think I will schedule another massage. It felt great and helped my lower backache; up until then I had been using my seat heater in the car as therapy because, well, you know. Mom’s Taxi. ■

Written by: Q104 personality Jenny Matthews

Jenny Matthews was on the air at Mix 93.3 for 15 years and recently moved to Q104 to co-host The Morning Drive with Mike Kellar + Jenny Matthews, 6:00 to 10:00 a.m., Monday through Friday. Check out her podcast, Real Life with Jenny Matthews, follow along with her blog and connect at jennymatthewsonair.com.