Paxton During Recovery

I must have a sign on my back that says “Sucker.” “Nurse.” “I'll Help!” Do I go with life priorities or career priorities? Writing priorities are tough to stick to.

Right now I have been struggling to edit my nonfiction, Rage Rising: My Walk Through the Dark Tunnel of Anger, but our little family dog, Paxton, was attacked by a big dog last week. He is having daily surgeries to hopefully heal him. (Waaaay too messy to describe here. I'll just say that my imagination doesn't need any help picturing dog wounds now.)

He is scared and hurting. I am sure his bucket list doesn't include getting to know his veterinarian better … or learning to rise above pain and what life dumps on him.

He draws me when he is home. He needs to be near his family. I can't not sit beside him, encouraging him to lie down, even though it hurts to do just that. I pat the rug and call to him. Because of pain meds and just pain, his processing is slow, so I wait for him to respond. When he moves beside me. it takes a long time of scratching his ears and smoothing his fur before he finally leans into my leg and slips down onto the towel I've spread on the rug.

My point here?

Yes, I have a writing deadline for Rage Rising and two others. There are many ideas swarming in my heart.

And since my husband has to work, it's up to me to nurse the dog. And don't get me wrong–my heart is to help. Maybe that's part of my life calling.

But, how do I get my writing done? We all struggle with distractions and too much to do, whether we are writers, nurses, creatives. Helping our dog heal is not a distraction–it is a priority.

So, my strategy ~

Plan A: When I sit on the floor with Paxton so he can rest against me, I need to have my computer and legal writing pad near.

Plan B: When Dearly Beloved (my name for my husband!) is home, let him take over (he is fully capable–ahem! I can trust him!). And I go write.

Plan C: When I do get the chance to write/edit, Do Not get on social media!

That's it. That's all I can do for now. Writing priorities sometimes have to take a backseat to life priorities, somehow become a blend of each other.

And I remind myself that this is just for a season. Paxton will heal and once again be that Truck Dog that he loves being!

He will ride again.

And I will write again!