Dear Readers,
Today felt like a strange mix of long and short — like time couldn’t quite decide what pace it wanted to take. It was full of little moments, but somehow, it all passed by in a blur.
I slept so deeply last night that I nearly forgot what morning felt like when I woke. It wasn’t until I reached for my phone that I remembered it was Daylight Savings. Technically, I’d gained an extra hour, but of course, I completely forgot to turn my clocks back, so the morning started off a little disoriented.
To make matters worse, I must have slept wrong because my neck and shoulder have been aching all day. The kind of ache that makes every turn of the head feel like a small battle. It’s made everything — driving, working, even just looking over my shoulder — a slow, sore process.
Still, I managed to carve out a bit of calm. I finished reading my book this morning, though the ending left me a little fussy — not in disappointment, just in that bittersweet way that happens when a story ends before your heart is ready to let go. Mallory Fox has a way of doing that to me every time.
Work came faster than I expected. I headed out, only to realize I’d made a scheduling mistake — one of my instructors had requested the day off, and I’d completely forgotten to find a sub. Luckily, Parm came to the rescue, offering to cover since she’d missed a shift yesterday. She was an absolute lifesaver.
The three of us taught lessons all afternoon, and by the time we finished, we were freezing — the water temperature had dropped, and all of us were blue-lipped and shivering by the end. Still, I stayed an extra hour to coach swim team. My group did so well today — we focused on backstroke, and I could see real progress in their technique. Watching them improve week by week makes me proud, and hearing how happy the parents are has been such a rewarding part of this job.
As the evening wrapped up, I had an unexpected encounter. An old manager of mine showed up at the pool. It turns out he’s now working for another swim school — and making more money than me. For a moment, it stung. He was never the most dedicated manager, and yet here he was, earning more than both Parm and I combined. But then I reminded myself of the truth — I know the reputation of that company, and I wouldn’t trade places with him for anything. I’ve worked hard to build something meaningful, even if it doesn’t always pay in dollars.
After work, I said my goodbyes and drove home, joining a call with Bisa on the way. What started as a simple conversation turned into a small misunderstanding — I wanted to tell him how much I loved and missed him, but he was distracted and told me he couldn’t “baby” me at the moment. It wasn’t about that, really. Sometimes I just want to rest in someone else’s calm for a minute — to not be the one who always holds everything together. After a few tears and an apology, things settled, and peace found its way back between us.
When I finally got home, I changed into my warm Disney pajamas, made myself something simple to eat, and curled up for the night. Bisa and I decided to start The Sandman together — which, if you haven’t seen it yet, is hauntingly beautiful. The perfect show for a tired, rainy evening.
Now, as I sit here writing to you, my shoulder still aches, my eyes are heavy, and the world outside feels quiet. Maybe that’s what today was meant to be — a reminder that even when time blurs and pain lingers, there’s still a small comfort in closing the day with stories, warmth, and someone on the other end of the call who makes you feel a little less alone.
With love,
Monique
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