by Laura Leigh Fields

Created on: March 03, 2008

When I was a child, I wanted nothing more than to be an adult. Now that I am an adult, I wish I were a child again. As ironic as it seems, that is generally the case. I spent too much time trying to grow up and now I want my toys back. Becoming an adult means taking on more roles than I ever thought possible.

I am the breadwinner. It is me that has to support the family. I go to work and get a check. I pay the bills and I am broke again. From one paycheck to another, I wonder where the money goes.

I am a wife and a mother. I don't mind the constant nurturing but sometimes, I just want to change my name. Every detail that both jobs entail is the reason that I have so many gray hairs.

I am a marathon runner, or I should be. I am constantly running errands. Just as soon as I sit down and get comfortable, there is something else to do. I run from one room to another like a chicken with my head cut off just trying to tend to everyone.

I am a detective. Every day there is another missing toy I must find. My husband will lose his glasses. The dog will hide the cat's food bowl. Daily, I search for things that should have been out up better to begin with.

I am a student but I am not getting any credit for it. Fourth grade math seems to be a little difficult now days. I don't remember it being that hard. Ever since they kicked Pluto out of the solar system, Science hasn't been my strong point either. I am pretty sure fourth grade English is my forte though.

I am a sheriff and the president. I am the law of this land. I make the rules and I enforce them. I have to be the good and the bad guy. I am the one that makes the decisions.

I am a chef. The kitchen is the room I visit most often in my home. I prepare one meal and wash dishes. Then, it is time to eat again. I have decided we eat far too much around here.

I am a maid. I am constantly cleaning. Every time I get one room done, a cyclone has wrecked through the next one. The dust bunnies out number my collectibles. The more I clean, the more they seem to reproduce and come back stronger.

I am a scientist. Daily, I discover new strains of stuff that can not be cleaned up. I have figured out the right combination of what to mix for household dilemmas and personal ailments.

I am a doctor and a nurse. I kiss boo-boos and clean up puke. I take temperatures and worry. I have to outsmart a ten-year-old who fakes being sick to avoid tests. I have to baby a grown man who has had too much to drink. I feel bad when my patients feel bad because they are apart of me.

Most of all, I am a little girl ready to escape. I am in need of a romp in the field. The pay is weak and I am beginning to run down. I think I will go on strike and just sit in the yard and play with sidewalk chalk all day. If I didn't think the house would crumble down around and me and I would have to share my chalk, I probably would.

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