Beyond IS: Routine

Some look at routine as boring. Complacent. Or just dull. Nothing exciting could possibly come from routine, right?

For me, each morning has its ebbs and flows to start the day. A debate of what lunch to make for the kids - is it a leftover pizza day or a sandwich or wrap day. Grapes or cucumbers or strawberries. Whichever, so long as it’s eaten. Then a question of whether it’s a uniform or civvies day - which could add an extra 5 minutes of chaos to make sure the “look” is right.

The drive to school adds to that routine - although, a slight change to the route can add or save minutes which can shift our parking lot ritual. Then, the workday begins - be it remote or in the office. Dinner. Rest. Sleep. And, repeat.

Monday to Friday. Consistency. Knowing what to expect. You can look at it from both sides as to whether that is good or bad. Many despise routine.

However, epilepsy has taught me otherwise.

Emma’s daily behaviour has been like clockwork. Waking up between 5-6am and having seizures. Yeah, it’s bad, but it’s become normal.

Thankfully, they are controllable, and within a few minutes, they stop and she’s in a “normal” state.  I think I’ve become immune to these mornings. It’s expected.

It’s routine, again.

But then, mornings like today roll in and routine goes out the window.

It’s been over 6 months since we were here. There have been some bad days along the way, but nothing that reached today’s level. Today took a toll on her. In and out of naps, balance issues that limited her mobility. And yet, at the end of the day, she’s back to her energetic, playful self.

When days like today come, I crave routine.