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Control Freak

I'm a control freak with a touch of OCD. 

There, I said it. Probably my two worst areas of control-freakishness would be where the kids are concerned and in the kitchen. Ask any of my relatives or close friends. It's pretty bad. Last year, I threw everyone out of the kitchen and made the entire Thanksgiving meal by myself... from scratch. I couldn't bear the thought of anyone touching anything and screwing it up. (Apparently, I'm this way at work too. I will literally try to do everything if given the chance.)

Don't even get me started on the kids. When my oldest was a baby, on the rare occasion I left him with a sitter (aka Dad or grandparents), I'd leave a detailed minute-by-minute schedule for him. I was only gone for a few hours. Add two more kids, a job, and a divorce with custody schedule... I'm a bit more relaxed now. I have to be for my own sanity.

Noticing this rather major character flaw in myself, I set out to change. First step... let someone else cook dinner for me. If you know me well, you will realize what a truly huge step this is. 

I let my mom cook dinner tonight. I stayed out of the kitchen, thanked her profusely, and smiled while devouring it. You know what? It was pretty good. Also, it was weirdly nice to have someone cook for me. I can't remember the last time that happened for me (as an adult).

And the world did not collapse.

Someone else can do something nice for me and the world will not end. What a shocking concept! I can humbly thank them and simply show gratitude. I don't have to do everything for myself all of the time. I can, but it's strangely nice to let someone else take care of me. I've never had that feeling as an adult. It's pretty great.


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