Dear Kids,

I am done.

I am walking away from the dishes and the laundry and the ever-meowing cat. You may feel neglected. You might feel abandoned. You will most likely have an array of mass-confusing thoughts.

It will be okay. Do your chores. Try to smile at one another. Tell your dad I've gone AWOL. I promise the sun will still shine tomorrow. Life has a way of moving on even when the mom is not cooking dinner.

I'm going into that dark place with the help of liquid gold in a bottle. To be honest, I don't know when you'll see or hear from me again. I'm afraid you'll just have to be patient.

And bring me chicken noodle soup around six o'clock.
Orange juice with a straw (the flexi kind) would be nice.
A homemade card with a poem might cheer me up.

Anything to make a mom feel better.
Just leave me in peace.
And save your questions for later.

Now leave me alone.

I mean,  I love you dearly.

Hugs and kisses,
Mom