T Minus 9 Minutes and Counting

Just a quick question: Have you ever watched a shuttle being launched into space? Well I have, and I can tell you, the stress level increases drastically in the last few minutes. They call this time: T minus 9 minutes and counting.

Just a quick question: Have you ever watched a shuttle being launched into space? Well I have, and I can tell you, the stress level increases drastically in the last few minutes. They call this time: T minus 9 minutes and counting. Some extremely important tasks are undertaken during this time to ensure a smooth take off. Here are three that usually turn my calm morning into total chaos: First, a communication check.

“Have you got the note I wrote for your teacher?”

“What note?”

“The one you asked for!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mum.”

OMG! Just forget it…. You’re starting to fluster and can feel your temperature rising slowly from your curling toes. You keep pushing, just a few more minutes and they will be securely strapped into the vehicle. Second, visors down. Two out of three hats are missing. OK great, let’s just skip that one, it can’t be that important. Can it? Lastly, confirmation of tasks completed: Teeth brushed, yes. Bags ready, yes miracle! Shoes on, just. You’ve done it, you’ve actually got three kids ready to go and no-one is yelling, crying or fighting!

Holding the two-year-old, his Kindy bag, gumboots, your handbag and your keys, you are ready!

“OK, great GO GO, out the door!”.

All in the car with seatbelts on, time to relax, you shall not be late today!

10, 9, 8, 7, Engine on, 5, 4, 3, 2, “Oh no, wait Mum!”

Silence drowns out the sweet sound of the running engine…

“You forgot, it’s dress up day!”

I will let your imagination run from here….


Claire Neale is an honest writer who, up until 2017,  kept her writing hidden away in journals and computer files. The journey of becoming a mother of three has inspired her to share her work, “an odd collection,” she affectionately calls it, in-between working on her first book. You can get to know Claire on Facebook.

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