Mrs. Malcolm Bright

Things I have done in the last 3 minutes:

* refreshed my submission confirmation page 14 times to make sure it wasn’t lying to me

* stared into the void (the void offered no rubric feedback, which felt rude)

* briefly considered emailing it again “just in case” like it might get lost in the academic mail system

* forgotten how to spell simple words but somehow still managed APA citations at midnight while someone asked for a snack, a blanket, and emotional support

Working mom edition includes:

* writing my conclusion while also locating a missing shoe that was definitely “right there five minutes ago”

* citing sources like: (Author, Year… I think… I have children)

* whisper-screaming at my laptop after everyone is asleep like it personally assigned the assignment

* negotiating peace treaties over bedtime while also negotiating paragraph transitions

I would like to thank:

* coffee, for keeping me alive and mildly vibrating

* my laptop, for surviving emotional damage and overheating like it, too, has finals

* my family, for asking “where are my socks?” during my most critical paragraph

* every professor who ever said “just one more discussion post,” because I now understand fear

anyway I have now completed my bachelor’s degree as a working mom, which means I am officially qualified in education, crisis management, snack logistics, and functioning on 2–4 hours of sleep with dignity (questionable, but present)

When I hit submit and immediately:

* checked it 17 times like it might revoke itself out of spite

* sat in silence so long the fridge started sounding like it was applauding me

* considered celebrating but chose sleep, because I am both accomplished and one melted human away from retirement.