Some Days are Just a "Mismatched Shoes" Kind of Day

My shoe mishap at work just about summed up the past couple of weeks. I am thankful that one of my friends(Kelsie...there is your shout out) pointed it out before my kids got in my class so I had time to think about it how it happened. I could have called Michael to come bring me new shoes, but I decided to just embrace the mishap as a much needed release of my frustrations. It was a sign to my friends that "hey maybe I need an extra boost of prayer tonight". Everyone runs into bumps in the road at some point and right now is my turn.

I won't bore you with details because at the end of the day, the struggles barely matter. What matters is the way we handle them and that the people we love are safe, happy, and loved. I read on Pinterest...(I love that place) a quote that stuck with me...

“If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back."― Regina Brett

When were so wrapped up in our personal problems, they seem like the biggest thing around. But in compression to what is happening around the world, what we're dealing with at the very moment is just another pebble on the mountain. It doesn't mean that they don't suck, or give us ulcers (like the 4 I have in my mouth) but it reminds us that even though its overwhelming now, it will end and we will be better because of it.

One of my favorite people who will forever old a special place in my heart always says "this too shall pass". And she is more than right. Yes it's overwhelming, yes it's annoying, yes it can overwhelm, out power, and beat us down, but in the end it will pass and through the rain there will be sunshine. We have to go through the bad to appreciate the good. If everything was good all the time, the days in our life that stick out would just be another normal day. Eak. How boring.

I also am thankful that through this rain, a few things have proved to be my umbrella, at least to shake me out of my bad mood for a little while. I walked out to my mailbox today and had two awesome surprises.
1. I received a necklace I had ordered a while back and am so excited to hopefully wear it tomorrow. I love getting things in the mail that isn't a bill or a letter about something else we are missing for the house.
2. My beautiful, awesome photographer sent our wedding cd's and included a cute little heart necklace that has a special meaning to her, but now has a special meaning for me too.

These two things could have shown up at any time, any day this week, but some how they both came today on such a crazy, crazy day. It just shows that there is hope in the storm and that there are people who we can hide under for support. I am so thankful for those people.

I have to share this story because it has been tearing at my heart today...One of my little friends came into the class today and wasn't her perky self. She said "Mrs. Hagg, I have to tell you something very sad. Bella passed away." I remembered that Bella was her dog, but sometimes when my kids tell me these things, I call the parents and they let me know that it was years ago, so I emailed her mom. Well a little later, I saw her walking around the classroom with tears just streaming down her face, so I went and got her and she just cried, telling me she missed Bella already. The other students were so concerned, one even started crying with her, and just kept saying we love you and Bella too L. These little friends who don't even know the dog just wanted their friend to be happy. One of them took her hand and said "come on let's go draw pictures of her" so they went back to her seat. I overheard the tables conversation and it turns out they were all planning Bella's funeral with L. By the end of the day, they had picked out the date, time, preacher (one of my students), songs to play (although L suggested no rap because Bella didn't like rap) and all drew pictures for Bella.

I sit here amazed because of the thoughtfulness and love that they share for L and how they helped to make her happy in her darkest hour. Our friends become like family because of the love they share for us. I am so glad to have my beautiful friends and awesome family.

Through my storm, I know that I am so very lucky.

Good night friends.