To the mom who texted (in the Cub Scouts group chat) last night:

“I’m sorry, but I’ve given up. Cub Scouts is just one more thing to do. It’s too much for me to get to. Thanks for organizing, though. Appreciate it.”

I got your message in rapid fire, group text/chat format…while I was busy…at work. Just finished in the OR. I rolled my eyes and muttered to myself, Really? Can’t do it? Lame. We are all busy. And I went about my business.

But I’ve been thinking about that momma today. The one who, in a moment of utter frustration; of fatigue and chaos; just went ahead and said what we are all thinking, what’s on her heart. We give up. It’s too much. The running around. The drive-through dinners. The re-run jeans with holes in the knees, 2 sizes too small, cause Dang it, I don’t even have time to run into Old Navy and buy some new ones for the poor kid. That momma.

I’m sorry I don’t know your name…or your kid’s name. Your text popped up with your number, not a name (as I am sure my reply did for you, too). Don’t worry, I don’t know most of my kiddos’ friends’ names. Or their mom’s name. Or dad’s name. Mostly, moms are just “Joey’s mom” or “Trevor’s mom”. In a pinch, I save your name as: “Sam’s friend’s mom- lives down street”. You see, I gave up, too. When 90-hour work weeks are not uncommon, when being away from home for 36-hours at a time is the norm, I gave up too. The details (and names!) elude me. But this is one of the things…Cub Scouts…for which Ben and Sam’s Dad does primary duty. So when I saw your text, I figured, how could you give up on your kids’ activity? But…

But the problem is…I don’t know you. I don’t know if you are a single mom, or a mom of nine kids. I don’t know if you are caring for an aging or ill parent or sibling. I don’t know if you are working three jobs to make ends meet. I don’t know if your kid actually hates Cub Scouts and you were arguing over cold take-and-bake pizza about getting to the Den meeting on time. I don’t know. In fact, since I don’t have your name associated with your number, dear Cub Scout parent, maybe you are a Cub Scout Poppa!  (Look at me making assumptions….!!)

So…To The Mom/Dad/Guardian of my kid’s Cub Scout co-conspirator, what I do know…is that you are doing alright. You are entitled to some moments of “I give up!” You surveyed all the options…the way this event/club/to-do fits into your life (and your kids’ life) and you simply decided…IT DOESN’T. And you know what, friend, that’s ok. You don’t need to apologize. You don’t have to explain. You made me think. You challenged me. You inspired me. You reminded me that we all need our own space, our own perspective, our own out. No apologies necessary.

I have tapped out a time or two, as well. From the “Leadership Workshop” that turned out to be a giant, overblown, artificial networking event. From the swim lessons he decided he didn’t like. From the Women in Surgery event that meets on Sunday nights….family dinner time. I get it. And I get you. And I want you to know that you are doing alright.

Disclaimer: My viewpoints are not necessarily reflective of my employer, or any local, regional or national organization that I belong to. As a matter of fact, I pretty much just speak for myself. Please keep that in mind.