103/365 - Hermia and me

I once played the role of Hermia in Shakespeare's comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Hermia - spoiled and privileged Hermia, who was not at all used to being ill-used or left to fend for herself - finds herself alone and exhausted in the middle of the woods at the end of Act 3.

With a full-time job, three precocious kids, and many nights and weekends spent free-lancing as an orchestral musician, I often recall that moment when Hermia calls it a day, especially on days like I had today...

Never so weary, never so in woe,

Bedabbled with the dew and torn with briers,

I can no further crawl, no further go;

My legs can keep no pace with my desires.

Here will I rest me till the break of day.

Heavens shield Lysander, if they mean a fray!

Only as I drift off to sleep now, I end up praying, "heavens shield my kids, 'ere I throttle them in the fray." Good thing I love the little buggers - and everything else I do.