Have you ever had one of those days?
This question is normally quickly followed by a run down of everything that went wrong for the person asking. For example, “Have you ever had one of those days? You know, where you stub your toe getting out of bed to go to the bathroom that happens to be flooded. So you call the plumber and find out they can’t get there until tomorrow. Then you try to console yourself by eating a bowl of your favorite cereal, only to realize that someone put an EMPTY box back in the pantry so you have to eat dry toast instead. Then you spill coffee on yourself on your way to work, and proceed to do everything wrong at work according to your boss. So you look forward to dinner with the family, but when you get home your kids are dialed into the tv and your spouse is busy with work colleagues, so you eat alone. And then after your almost vinegared glass of wine, you head to bed, stubbing your toe after getting your socks wet in your still flooded bathroom. You know, one of those days?”
To be clear, not one of these things happened to me today. But I’m sure some combination will some day. And I’m sure I will complain to someone about it. But today, for me, I posed the question to mean something a bit different.
Have you ever had one of those days? You know, one of those days…
where you can’t stop thinking about a stranger’s family?
where you just want to hold your “babies” tightly, even if they’re grown, just because you can?
where you look forward to your toddler or infant waking up from their nap (instead of hoping it lasts ‘just a bit longer’) because it means you get to see them smile again?
where you want to tell everyone in your life that you love them, because there is no guarantee you will get another chance?
Today was one of “those days” where I can’t stop thinking about how quickly life can change. It was one of those days where I didn’t mind cleaning up the mess around the house because it meant that I have happy kids. It was one of those days where the bedtime routine went a bit long, and I was kind of glad. It was one of those days where I made more eye contact with strangers and smiled, because you never know when it will make a difference. It was one of those days where the tv was turned off and conversations were enjoyed. Today is one of those days that will remind me to hold close loved ones longer, tell long distance loved ones I love them, forgive, relax and enjoy the sunshine and later the moonbeams since I can.
Days like these always remind of Mr. Rogers and his quote about scary times…and I thought this captured some of my feelings for today.
love this perspective