Mommies Here!

Nadia’s father died of a heart attach about a year ago. Truth be told, they were never really close, but they did share a similiar sense of humor. When she was going through his things after his death, she found this Dilbert comic strip and passed it on to me as a momento.

I wouldn’t say that he approved of our relationship, but it also wouldn’t be fair to say that he disapproved. Frankly, he never really said much about our union, and that–in many ways–says it all.

Anyway, I came across this cartoon in my ‘favorite’ notebook today. I put it there a few years ago and forgot about it. Nadia gave it to me to remember her dad because it was a perfect ’screencap’ of my job at the time. I like to think that this cartoon is a private joke made only for the three of us, but I know that’s not true.

 When my father-in-law died, I was working for a non-profit with a wonderful mission but it also had an insane and unhealthy work ethic. My boss wanted to meet with me an average of 20 hours a week, and then had the nerve to be indignant when I told her it was hard for me to get my work done. Needless to say I worked very long hours, got into a few tiffs with the boss and often felt that I didn’t have time for me or my relationship.

 I can’t help but think that my time there impacted my ability to get pregnant, though I will never know for sure. I now work in a much calmer family-friendly environment and, even though it’s only been a few weeks, I already feel like things will work out for me when I start my IVF in September.  I sure hope so.

But right now, I’m sporting a wry smile  thinking about my father-in-law and Catbert.