I’ve gone on public record as liking Monday for a variety of reasons. But this particular Monday didn’t measure up in any way at all.
Usually I take Monday to ease into things, knowing the rest of the week is there for back up. But today was fraught with one crisis after another; minor crises in many respects, especially against the backdrop of Hurricane Katrina. Nevertheless, they derailed me from what I’d planned to accomplish today.
There was the tenant who moved out of Earl’s rental property wondering where her security deposit was. There was another tenant, who is moving out shortly, who wanted to know if we would buy her furniture. There was Earl’s mother, who broke her arm over the weekend. At age ninety-two, this could be significant. Doctors’ calls and various forms to fill out followed, so that she could have appropriate medical attention.
There was the potential new client who needed a couple hours of time. In the middle of this my cleaning ladies arrived and, as usual, provided background music of vacuum motors and dust relocators.
On top of that, the bank that holds our mortgage called because it became concerned that it hadn’t received our September payment. Forget that there was a holiday at the beginning of the month and that I scheduled the payment in time to avoid a late fee; a snippy young woman who said “I’m trying to educate you about these things” took fifteen minutes of my time to berate me.
I don’t take berating lightly. So I called the customer service department of the particular bank and had a long conversation with a representative about how to treat customers. Especially if they are older and hold real estate licenses and can steer clients looking for mortgages elsewhere. I claim all three distinctions.
At the same time, these challenges distracted me from my usual Monday routine. By three o’clock I felt surly rather than eager to work. In fact, I think I might have felt how many other people do at eight in the morning on Monday.
Perhaps the only saving grace is that I have a better understanding of others’ perspectives and won’t shove Monday down anybody else’s throat. It’s a promise.
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