I had a bad day last week.
Well, that’s too dramatic; I had a bad situation last week.
It was one of the those days that was going along just fine. Items were crossed off the to do list. Meetings were held. I felt like I was positively contributing.
Then, all of a sudden: bam! I was dealt with one of those coming-out-of-left-field-to-slam-me-in-the-head-moments. (Yes, I like creating new words with dashes. A lot.) Essentially, my integrity and professionalism were questioned. It was and is still upsetting. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to fix it. (I am going to be a bit vague describing the situation, largely out of respect from my world away from Red Shutters.)
But, the lesson for me wasn’t so much about that situation (though I do have some important take home messages from that, too). It was what happened after. I drove home in a funk, dissecting a lot of decisions I’ve made. I pulled into my driveway, got out of the car, opened the front door, and then I heard it.
“Mommy, Mommy! I want to hug you!”
“Huggie, Mommy! Huggie”
Two small people ran toward me, wrapping four arms and legs around my body.
Hugs. Kisses. Love. Perfect.
The bad stuff went away. You know when people say a weight was lifted from them? That’s what it was. Good, wonderful, deeply satisfying happiness replaced my bad situation. That wondering about decisions I’ve made was replaced by a surety about these two little and yet momentous decisions.
In that brief moment of affection, I was reminded that we may have stuff that happens in our lives that we think is substantial in weight or import when really, truly, it’s not. I can’t say that every rough patch in my life can go away with a hug from my kids, but that love certainly can help.
