OMG Jo-an and Jackson

A little while ago i was sitting on my bed reading and i glanced up at the fish tank and oh dear! the two fishies were at the top gasping for air and i suddenly realized i had not changed the filter or the water for a couple months.  I feed Jo-an and Jackson every day and periodically add water but i had just forgotten to attend to their living habitat for two or three months.   It's a pain, and messy, and time consuming but i've never really minded up till just recently.  I've been distracted.

They live in water but need oxygen and that's why i have pumps and filters.  In fact i got an extra pump as i noticed several months ago that Jackson especially was up top most of the time, i think wanting air. I was out of the one filter type and needed to make a trip to the pet shop and haven't been in the mood.

I started to realize if i didn't get busy and change the water i would no longer have the pleasure of their company for much longer.  I really love my fish.  Never wanted a cat or a dog. I wanted fish.

I wonder if that's what it's like if you forget you have children.  I've never forgotten i have children but i have been frustrated and tired of having to be the emotional support at times.  I'm sure most parents get that feeling.

I attended to them when they were small and as they grew older they needed me less and less and i had to start letting go.  But do we really ever let go.  I think not.  Life happens and we are called upon again and again to be a support and life line in their lives.

It seems to be a constant renewal of the love and affection given and received that we all need. My children need me and i need them.  My fish need me and i need them. Sometimes we just forget their importance and give in to the day to day problems and distractions.  Then we get back on point.