She is the personification of a mother in law or a mother. Whenever I am in the middle of my self-proclaimed break, she loves to remind me with her buzzer-like, gruff voice about another impending task waiting for my attention. I agree that I have given her the liberty to remind me of my daily duties and tasks to fulfill. But does she have to be merciless, when, after a busy morning, I close my eyes to take a quick nap?

But seriously, what would I do without her? She is the reason I stay on top of my calendar and get things done to the best of my capacity, enabling me to graze between the various household chores. Now that I work out of my home, I have even relied on her to remind me to make that important office call.

Sometimes, her persistent nagging makes me  want to bang her. Not that it bothers her to see my irritation. Even if it does, she doesn’t show it. Like a dutiful maiden, she wakes me, reminds me of a waiting task, helps me to get in the car to pick up my kid on time, and turn the stove off before I burn supper.  

Brian and I divorced two years ago when Tommy was three years old. At first, it was separation for a period of six months and then we decided to end the marriage. As a single mom, I depended on her to keep me on track with my daily tasks, She was right there for me when I suffered frequent attacks of self-pity, helplessness and depression. I appreciate her helping me to keep things normal so that Tommy could have a normal schedule.

 I have to be thankful and appreciative of her as she has never missed a single time in her dutiful calls. The best thing about her is she works for free. I have given her accommodation in my place, that’s all.

I have to admit that I rely on my kitchen timer so much that there have been times when I could not remember what I was supposed to remember.