My Laundry

Have you ever had one of those days where everything goes right? You get up in time to see the sunrise, kids get up in the morning and greet you with a smile, make it to work fifteen minutes earlier, and everybody greets you with a smile?

Well today was not one of those days for me.  I woke up late, kids were grumpy, made it to work late and there was tension at work.  Everything that could go wrong, did.  The start of that day, set the tone for the rest of the day.

After work, my bad mood followed me all the way home.  I was on auto-pilot all afternoon, just going through the motions not really interacting as much with the kids, like usually would. I decided to do laundry after dinner, while the kids were playing. I started the dryer, and few seconds later,  it made a weird screeching sound. (Sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard) The dryer kept stopping  after a few seconds of being turned on.

I of course, did what anybody in my position would do, I acted like I knew what I was doing. I did everything from unplugging and plugging it back in, jumping on it to shake it, and pressing all the buttons.  I checked to see if anything had been caught by the door.  I pronounced the dryer dead, after the third time I kicked it.

My two year old and I went to the laundromat to dry the clothes. I found out the hard way, that taking a two year old to the laundromat was a big mistake, let’s just say that my patience was tested. Not wanting to fail this test, I decide to relax and laugh at the situation. I played with my son, while the clothes were drying. And I loved every minute of it.

When we arrived home, I checked the dryer again. The screeching sound was gone and the dryer was working fine.  My oldest son said,  “Mommy, maybe that was just a sign that you needed time away from us, you know.”  He said this, while trying not to laugh.  I told him, that I didn’t want to get away from them.  I did point out, that if I did want to get away, It would definitely be at the beach, with them playing nearby.

“A child can always teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires.”   Paulo Coelho

At ten years old, my son  plainly stated the lesson that I received that day. Things will look brighter if you greet them with a smile, and you will be able to handle them a lot better.

I will be at the beach in the near future.  I will relax in the sun, and maybe read some books, while the kids play nearby.  A cabana boy will be waiting on me,  of course.  I will demand with all my might what I desire!

p.s.  That’s a picture of my future cabana boy doing my laundry…..all my whites are pink, but isn’t he cute!