Photo by Fatima Fakier Deria
Balancing Acts
By T. Delaplain
“You can have it all”, they said. The career, the kids, an American flag and a pink flamingo on the picket fenced lawn; a full measure of domestic bliss.
I was in the center ring with all the balls in the air, apron strings tied, balancing on one leg in a perfect pirouette until the phone shattered my peaceful dinner party, again.
“Sorry, it’s probably the hospital. Mom says, babies don’t wait. She never gets to finish dinner with us.”
I called the circus the next day and dropped a few balls.
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A Friday Fictioneers challenge. Join us, we’ll give you 100 words to balance your story.
This is that child graduating from medical school. He works 90 hours a week. He thinks he can have it all, too. Maybe he can.
Tracey Delaplain, MD 
Sometimes it’s good to drop a ball or two
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You can have it all… just not all at the same time. Good to drop a few balls to be picked up later (or not).
Excellent, Tracey!
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Thanks Dale. Never seeing my sons was a sacrifice I wasn’t willing to make in the name of medicine.
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I hear you and I commend you for your choice!
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The question is did dropping those balls result in the end of the world? If not, they don’t need to be juggled at the moment 😉
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Unfortunately when a doctor drops a ball, someone else has to pick up the slack. The work never stops.
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Dear Tracey,
I don’t know how you did it, but I certainly admire you for it. My GP is a woman with four children and now a few grands. I don’t know how she manages either, but I’m glad she has these past 20 years because I adore her. Best wishes for your son. Lovely story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you. I choice my children as often as possible and I have an amazing life partner. I couldn’t have stayed sane without him.
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At least he already understands that he might not be able to finish all of his meals with the family 😉 I agree with Iain about the importance of all of the balls in the air…
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Great story. Love the use of juggling balls. Hey, did you find that one I lost at noon today???
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things that moms do that we learn to appreciate hopefully before it’s too late.
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Well you know you taught him how to work hard. Congratulations to have a son who graduated from med school!
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I enjoyed the perfect pirouette!
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From years of ballet. No that’s a lie, I can’t dance.
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Or won’t, like this gentleman?
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A great story, and a fantastic achievement too!
Here’s my contribution!
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Thank you
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This was so well executed, Tracey. I hope he learns how to juggle those balls without burning himself out. 🙂
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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It’s difficult to watch. He’s very busy but I keep talking about balance. Maybe he’s listening.
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I think for everything in life there is price to pay. Question is how one handles the demand.
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I agree, thank you.
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Balance is everything, but some careers demand so much. 90 hours a week? Blimey…
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Pink flamingo! I like how you captured a sense of loosing control with so much going on.
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Fun to read, and easy to visualize. Good one.
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I imagine many celebrations being cut short. Babies will arrive when they choose. ~~~ : – )
Lovely insight into a life career. Thanks you for your sacrifices. They’ve been worth it, I’m sure.
Isadora 😎
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Yes, I missed a lot but the boys seem to be happy and successful thanks to their Dad.
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I’m sure a happy mom and wife was important to your husband helping his drive for creating exemplary children. 😊🙏
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I like your story Tracey! Relatable. Good to sometimes drop a few balls. It keeps everyone on their toes. 🙂
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Thank you
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Nathans for a perspective so foreign from my own. We all have our demons.
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Having it all… I don’t know if it exists, but we are lead to believe it. Sometimes you just have to be happy with what you have.
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Or make some changes until you have a life that you’re proud of.
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I think having it all is something only each person can define for themselves. It is not necessarily in the way it is dictated to us by society and consumerism. Having it all is a feeling. It might not appear that way to others who look upon your situation, but if you feel alive and rich, then you have it all. 🙂
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You linked to the wrong story!
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Thanks, I’ve added the correct link now.
Ugh
Tracey
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Good choice, that … and the proof seems to be in the pudding … even if the apple did not fall far from the tree (and I’m mixing metaphors to a fruit salad … ;))
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