Posted by Danielle Bean
in Family
on Monday, July 28, 2008 11:11 AM
The other day, I brought along Raphael and Gabby when I went out to run a few errands.
When I had to wait in line at the gas station for a solid 20 minutes for the privilege of paying almost $4.00 per gallon, I was annoyed.
When my pint-sized companions fought over whose turn it was to sit in the front of the grocery cart, I was bothered.
When I loaded the groceries into the van, buckled the kids in their car seats, and then ... the van refused to start, I was frustrated beyond belief.
When I called Dan and found that he was not yet done with running his errands and would not be able to come rescue us for I had no idea how long, I was ready to give up.
First, the kids and I passed the time in a nearby pet store. We browsed the birdies and talked to the turtles.
An eager young salesman did his best to convince me that it would be foolish not to take advantage of two ferrets and their condo of a cage for the bargain price of $350. It was right about then, though, that I caught sight of Raphael out of the corner of my eye. He was sprinting down a nearby aisle with a glass jar in each hand—each of which contained a nervous-looking betta fish.
“Mama! Mama! I got deeze!” he shouted.
I came to my senses. We left the fish and the ferrets and opted to pass the time a different way—with snacks.
Moments later found the three of us perched on a bench near the parking lot. Gabby munched from a box of animal crackers and Raphael slurped grape juice from a bottle.
My mind raced with the things left undone at home—dinner to prepare and laundry piling up. I glanced toward our van and wondered about the towing charge and garage bill that lay ahead.
I sighed.
Raphael sighed too. But with contentment. His small legs swung from the bench as he sat smiling in the sunshine.
“This,” he announced after gulping a large mouthful of grape juice, “is a very good day.”
And so it was.
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Filed under cars, pets, shopping
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Comments
1. Posted by Franchelle
[website] on Monday, Jul 28, 2008 11:26 AM (EST):
So great!
How many times, in my exasperation for lack of control, have I thrown my arms up to heaven and been completely surprised to find that God has sent a piece of heaven for me to catch with those very same arms!
Just the other day, while my husband was working a night shift (translation: Mommy does it all at home), with nothing but my own sanity in mind, I announced after dinner at 7:30pm that we would all take a little walk down to the park. My 5 year old had a similar response to Raphael’s and it was then that I knew, once again, the true joy in sacrifice. . .mosquito bites and all!
2. Posted by Maurisa
[website] on Monday, Jul 28, 2008 12:29 PM (EST):
Children have such a wonderful way of keeping everything in perspective! Don’t you just love their bright-eyed optimism?
3. Posted by Michele Simpson on Friday, Aug 1, 2008 1:44 PM (EST):
Yes children really can give you a new perspective the hard part is seeing it. Sometimes I am so caught up in my emotions or frustrations I miss what is most important. But I really am trying to change that.
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