Here is my favorite picture of me and Maya . It is my favorite because it reminds me that if you can spot them, there are moments in every "bad" day that are meant to make the day easier and lighten the burdens of the day.
My day had already started off on a not so great note by the time this picture was taken. It began with a phone call just before 9 - there had been a cancellation, a no-show, and I needed to show up.
Then, another call also ended on a bad note. Everything about that day was going south. All I could think of was dropping off the little lady and diving headlong into crisis management. But, If only I can get her jacket off... I thought.
Then, there are the shoes to take off.... the hand washing ... why do we always have to do these things? I lamented to myself.
The word "HURRY” started flashing in my brain, and I responded accordingly – pulling her into her class and signalling to the teacher to please rescue me from the tight hold that ends every drop off.
But, sweet Maya had a different plan.
As soon as I brought her into her class, she took a look around as I said a quick goodbye and made for the door.
She held me back and asked me to come and have “dinner” with her. Of course, the answer had to be a capital “NO.
I have problems to solve, no, I have to go, no, not today." And, as I predicted, she held onto me, tugging me along, pleading that it would only be for a short time.
I thought it was a bad idea, but the mom in me scolded,
"Surely you can spare 5 minutes for your child."
So, I said, "Just for five minutes," reluctantly to her. So, off we went to eat at her favorite restaurant – drinking imaginary coffee and eating all dressed wooden pizza.
So deliciously woody!
Intermittently, she would ask if I was enjoying my food and reminded me ever so sternly not to talk with my mouth full...
It was indeed a pleasant “dinner” at 9:00 a.m. We both left the “restaurant” feeling rather satisfied.
As I stepped out of the daycare and felt the cold, crisp October breeze on my face, my heart sang, for it had experienced a burst of joy.
My feet knew a little bounce. And as I tightened my jacket around me, I knew my ordinary problem day had been star-dusted and turned into an extraordinary one because of this moment that I nearly missed.
I felt as if I could handle anything from then on.
Thinking ahead for the New Year, I hope I remember that while there might be "tough days" or "not so great days," there are moments of joy waiting in the day.
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