It was one of those days - you've had them too - the kind when every "hat" we wear was on our head and we're spinning from one role to the other faster than our mindful and emotional wheels can turn. Last Saturday I was trying to be a good mother, a good daughter, a good friend, and a good nonna (that means grandmother in Italian). 

I had just returned home from a morning funeral (the friend part) and was urging my daughter (the mother part) to hurry and finish packing her belongings to head back to college after spring break. But first we had to pick up Mamma (the daughter part) from the hospital who was being discharged. I had already spoken to her, I knew she was waiting, but I was also waiting -- for my daughter.  

Afterwards, we were to drive to New Jersey to visit a son and daughter-in-law and their three precious babies (the nonna part) who I hadn't seen in two months. (Two months is a very long time for a Nonna not to smooch her bambini.)

I was trying not to feel frustrated with my daughter as I hustled her along, when the hospital called.  

"Ms. Molino?"

"Yes."

"This is the nurse from Upper Chesapeake. Your mother is being released and she is ready to go home."

"Yes, I know. I've spoken to my mother already. I am waiting for my daughter to finish packing up her suitcase as I'm taking her back to college." 

"Well, your mother is waiting. She's been waiting. She's ready to go home." 

"Yes, I realize that. I AM DOING THE BEST I CAN."  

(okay, so I may have been a tad snarky here, and I may have spoken in all caps.)

However, I desperately tried not to lose my cool. I wanted to stay calm. I asked the nurse to put my mother on the phone.

I didn't get upset with Mom and thankfully she didn't get upset with me. Because as soon as I uttered those seven words, it placed me into a calm. I began to repeat it like a mantra. Because I WAS doing the best I could that day - and that's all I can do in my various roles, especially when under pressure.  

The next time you have such a day - or part of a day - when you are spinning in too many directions trying to be everything required of you; when the pressure is turned up ... STOP ... and say to yourself, "I am doing the best I can."  

And it will get done.  

We finally left the house, we picked up my mom, delivered her safely home - and made Papa happy that she was back. After settling her in, we hopped back in the car and drove 2 hours north to New Jersey where we enjoyed our sweet babies playfully that evening and the next morning. We drove 3.5 more hours to drop off my baby girl back safely to her dorm, and then I enjoyed a quiet 2.5 hours ride home with Elvis singing on the radio. Already missing my girl. 

I was still a mother, still a daughter, still a friend and still a nonna. No one had fired me. And it was the best I could do.