282 Days to Go - Can You Hear Me Now?

"Mom, carry your cell phone!"
"Mom, turn on your cell phone!"
"Mom, where were you? I called you three times!"
"Mom, Mom, are you there?"
Mark, handing me his cell phone, "It's _______ (my kid)." He smiles.

I do have a cell phone. I use it all the time. I just don't always tuck it into my bra the way other women do, and there's no way I am sticking it in my front pants pocket like my husband does. From my back pocket, I have dropped my phone, not once but twice, into the toilet! (Luckily I'm quick and got that thing dried out in time, both times.) I have worn the phone in a leather phone holder on my belt, but I then feel like I need a gun holster on the other side to balance out my look. So, usually I carry the phone in my hand (very limiting when using that hand for other things) or stick it safely in my purse in its special phone pocket - that's just where I like it.

The trouble is this: I'm Unavailable. I don't hear the phone ring or its still on silent because I set it like that in my last meeting. The bottom line is that my kids are complaining that they can't get to me when they want to.

So few options here. Now, I keep the phone with me as much as possible, even in that back pocket of mine, a risk, I know. I set it out on my desk while I work. I have it in my lap on vibrate in quiet settings. My word, you would think I am a doctor on call! ... oh wait, I am.

Mom. Doctor. They are about the same thing, I think. They fix things that are broken. They comfort the sick and the weary. They rejoice at recovery. They counsel and guide in things that are unseen or unknown. And, if we are cool, they like us and want us to come back to see them.

OK. I'll keep my phone handy for the kids, but I'll need a raise. How much do doctors make? (smiles)