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MOPSIllustrated

alance By Beth Flambures

eth Flambures is the Vice President of Finance at MOPS International and is an active Certified Public Accountant. Beth reside

olden, Colorado, with her husband, Brent, their 3-year old son Grayson and infant son Jack (born April 2006).

m in the Board Room. We are in the midst of a meeting that has been on the calendar for

onths. I step to the front to deliver my portion of the presentation when it happens

ee the face of the receptionist peak through the window and give me the dreaded wave of

e hand. I try to ignore it, I am sure that she will go away. No luck, the wave persists. Iacefully excuse myself knowing that I have just omitted two months of preparation from my

eech. I grudgingly exit the room a bit angry that she would interrupt me although I know

ry well that she must have a good reason.

aycare called, Grayson has a fever and they cant get a hold of Brent to pick him up.

y heart sinks. A twinge of irritation starts to boil and Im not sure who is the rightful owner of

y feelings. Brent, surely it is Brents fault, he knows that I had this meeting and he should have been on call. Okay, maybe not

aycare, it must be daycare, they are so sensitive with fevers, I bet it was only 99 and we all know that that doesnt count as a f

phone call quickly brings my emotions in check when they report a fever of 102. Now the twinge of irritation has turned into fu

own guilt directed squarely at me.

the car on the way to daycare I frantically try to reach Brent hoping that he might still be able to pick Grayson up so that I can

return to work. Full-blown guilt is strong but doesnt extinguish the counter emotion th

also need to be at work. I know that at this moment I need to be in two places at once

Brent is only qualified to be Mommy and not Board Room Beth. No luck, no answer.

down the list of potential replacements but come up short. I continue my drive to dayc

knowing that it is now inevitable. As I pull into the driveway the sweat is now dripping

down my forehead and my heart is still running. I know that I need to switch gears, no

walk into his room and as he sees me he walks to me and puts up his arms. I pick him

and know that at that moment my arms around his little body are the best medicine.

Although I have rushed to his side as Mommy, I now need to balance a recovery at w

with a recovering child. Grayson comes first but that does not mean that work goes a

That evening will consist of caring for Grayson followed closely with a game of rock,

paper, scissors for who will stay home tomorrow. I have learned the key to survival i

world is knowing that I am a full-time mother even when standing in the Board Roomto that a long list of stand-in caregivers and an understanding employer and I know th

can make this work. http://www.mops.org/page.php?pageid=

rike a Pose: my cousin Anna is a yoga insctructor and offers this stretch to stimulate balance and strengthen leg muscles. -Re

rikshasana variation -raised hands variation of the tree

Stand with left hand at waist.

Straighten core.

Right knee bends resting below or above joint on left leg.

Smile from deep inside the heart.

Breathe gently and deeply, repeat exercise on other side as desired.

You can find MOPS Owatonna on

Facebook or check out our blog!

www.mopsowatonna.blogspot.com

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