When I am late...

[katepoet]

When I am late, please remember that I am recovering from illness and will be the rest of my life.

When I am late and simply apologize without explanation please know that there are things about this body and its damage that are too hard, too embarrassing to explain.

When I am late, I may have had a migraine, have taken longer than I planned because I limp, have tripped and fallen on the way to the car.

When I am late, I may not tell you these things because I would rather be defined as the late one than as the disabled one. Or I may tell you these things because I would rather be defined as the disabled one than as the one who doesn't care about how you feel.

When I am late it might be as simple as I just have stopped to listen to my son or my husband tell me something because life with them is precious and unlike those who are well, I can't always be there for them nor can they always be there for me.

When someone else is late, please remember that there might be a reason that you can't see as easily as my disability, or that someone might not even recognize about him or herself.

Please forgive us as we aren't all as able as you are to be on time.

Thank you.


(All the rest of you who are sometimes late - the kids, the husband, work, life... what are your reasons?)

[DianaB]

Kate, I hope that you don't mind me being nosey, and if I am just let me know, but you talk about being disabled. What exactly is wrong? I know that you've mentioned Lyme disease. Exactly what has it done to you?

The main reason that we're late is because we don't plan to get around on time. My husband tends to run late so we all follow suit!!! I'm not late when I'm not with him!!!

[judy]

I am late too often lately. I'm not being respectful when I'm late to pottery class, or to a doctor's appointment, or to meet a friend.

Thanks for posting that Kate. I'm being self-indulgent when I'm late usually.

[AngieDoogles]

I am never late when it's just me, only when hubby and I are going somewhere...

[katepoet]

I guess part of what I am trying to say is that judging others as disrespectful because they are late might not be an accurate interpretation of their intent. Normally, I am on time - but the last 2 months as I have ramped up to more and more hours of work, I seem to be late 5-10 minutes all the time. I get very embarrassed but try not to make that the tone of my interaction once I arrive. I work really hard at not being late, so I am trying not to judge myself on it - that won't help - but to admit that I have some limits that are just showing up through my tardiness. Forgiveness is something we have to give ourselves as well as others.

[Mandy]

I dont like to be late for anything, specially functions, i feel like all "eyes" are set on me when i walk in, i just cant handle that too well.

[judy]

Originally Posted by judy

I am late too often lately. I'm not being respectful when I'm late to pottery class, or to a doctor's appointment, or to meet a friend.

Thanks for posting that Kate. I'm being self-indulgent when I'm late usually.

You're absolutely right Kate. Actually, I rarely notice it when people are late.

I have no reason (usually) to be late. In my case at this point, it is due to self-indulgence. I must take responsibility for my actions.