Lemonade

Today started out like any other day, I woke up a little too late, the kids and I ran around getting ready for school, as is our routine and we had ten minutes to spare.  Just like everyday.  I had a full list of to-dos today, which included my job, a huge side project that isn't a side project at all, a showing at our house and being a Mom and a Wife.

We dropped Racecar off at school, picked up a cup of coffee from McDonald's and headed home.  I was busily preparing my massive to-do list in my head, knowing that I'd forget something if I didn't write it down.

We pulled into the driveway, I couldn't spare a second, I had so much to do.  Deadlines!  House to clean!  Blog! I opened the garage door with the opener, we jumped out of the car, approached the door.  And it was locked.  but that's okay!  I have a house key!  I retrieved my keys from my messy purse, "I don't have time for this!" I say to myself.  I slid the key into the lock.   No good, still locked.  I slid a different into the lock; still locked.

We were locked out of the house.

All I could think about was my laptop sitting on the table and I was unable to access it.  Sure, I had access to my blackberry, but there wasn't much I could do with that.  So, I called my realtor, I knew she would be able to open our lock box and get us in.  I called.  No answer.  I left a voicemail.  I e-mailed her.  In the meantime, poor Ariel was starving as she hadn't had breakfast, yet.  We drove through the McDonald's drive-thru, we parked and ate and waited for a return phone call.

"Could this day get any worse?" I thought to myself.

We drove back home, parked in the garage, I sent a few e-mails, cleaned out the car, while Ariel rode her bike and drew on the driveway with sidewalk chalk.  Suddenly, she comes running towards me with her hand behind her back, she screamed at me concerned "I HAVE TO POOP!  I HAVE TO POOP!  I HAVE TO POOP!  IT'S COMING OUT!"

oh dear.

"Ariel, you are going to have to hold it."

She shot me a look like "honey, they're ain't no holdin' this shit in."

I read her look, got the message, and told her to get into her car seat, "sitting down will help you" and "I'll drive us to the gas station." "Okay, Mama," she replied.  I rush her, "hurry, honey! HURRY!"

We went into reverse.

And I ran over her bike.

Are you freaking kidding me?   The only thing worse than running over your child's bike, is if they are with you when you run over their bike.  She watched heard ME massacre HER bike?  Suddenly she wasn't worried about poop any longer.

And I started looking for hidden cameras and Ashton Kutcher hiding behind the bushes.

No camera.  No Ashton.

We drove to the gas station, did our business and started heading home to, I don't know, sit in the driveway and stare at the broken bike.  But instead, I turned in the other direction.  My mood suddenly shifted.

I surrendered.  I quickly realized that sitting in my garage isn't going to make my realtor call back any sooner.  Instead, I embraced the bad moments of the morning and set out to make our morning better.  We drove to the Dunes and went for a long walk, or adventure as we like to call it.  We sat at every bench on the trail, but only for a moment on each as we had lots to see.  We talked.  I smelled spring.  I listened to those birds singing their amazing songs.  I felt the softness of my daughter's hand inside of mine.  No computers.  No cell phones.  No blackberries.  Just she and I, and James and Jake. 

I felt them.  I was filled with emotion, sadness and love mixed with anger and delight, but I felt the peace of my life during those moments.  Walking hand in hand with my daughter, I missed my sons so much.  Her touch providing the strength I needed. 

During those moments, while surrounded by trees and birds and flowers and sun and love, so much love, I felt like James and Jake had wrapped a gift up for me, wrapped in a bad morning, but inside that bad morning was glory and goodness.  We have decided, Ariel and I, that on Mother's Day we will walk through the Dunes with Brian and Racecar by our sides.  And I know, I just know James and Jake will be above us, smiling.

I can't wait to do it every single year.   I am so glad we were locked out today, it is one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me.

Comments

[Amy F.]

What a beautiful post. I LOVE this post. Your honesty, humor, misfortunes, the positives that come from them, the feelings, the love. The line that Ariel said with her eyes...SO hilarious. And the Punk'd reference. But I especially enjoyed hearing about the memorable and meaningful outing you had just you, your daughter, and your little ones. So special, Beth. I hope you always cherish the memory of being locked out of your house, to continue to make lemonade, and have more and more of those peaceful moments.

I love you!

[Tina]

That was a beautiful post. It really makes me stop and think about the times that I have fretted when things don't go the way you expect or want them to. You made the best of a bad situation and look at the reward you received. So wonderful! I can only wish that one day I can be locked out of my house too! :)

[jodi]

I love this post Beth. Really. I love how you were able to turn your day around. God has funny ways of getting our attention. :)

[Adventures In Babywearing]

Oh my gosh this was the best. What a great
way to make your day.

Steph

[Brittany]

What a crazy day. But what a realization. I truly believe God does those sort of things to us, in order to slow us down and make us really think. I pray that's how you feel, too! :)

[Erin]

What a beautiful day. Good for you for making such a wonderful memory. Did you have your camera? I'm a scrapbooker and that would be a perfect day to document.

[Aimee]

I don't know you. I just found your blog by accident...or was it an accident? This post makes me think that maybe God had a greater plan for me finding you. You have taught me so much. You make me laugh, you make me cry, but most of all, you make me want to be better. What an awesome, amazing post! I'm glad you were locked out of your house, too. The next time I'm "locked out", I'm going to remember this post and I'm going to make lemonade! Thanks for your words, Beth.

[Tracye]

I laughed out loud at the bike! Not that it was funny or anything. But man, was it FUNNY!

Great post. The sweetness at the end was so touching.

[Antonette]

Thanks for sharing that experience.

[Chels]

awesome post!

[Kirsten]

Beth,

I'm glad you got some lemonade today. It's those moments that make life, life. I lost 2 babies, much earlier than you, but no less in my heart, and seeing those magic moments make the pain a little less overwhelming.
Kirsten

[Becky]

This was the post I needed to hear right now. Seriously, Beth, thank you.

[Renay]

Oh, I was laughing and now I'm tearing up...lock away these treasured memories. I'm glad you posted this as not only was the first half WAY TOO FUNNY (in hind sight of course) but it reminds us moms to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the little things-turn crappy moments into unforgettable forevers. Thanks Beth!

[Kelsey Smith]

Thats great! Good for you!

[Elaine]

Oh Beth what an absolutely beautiful post. Here come the tears...!

That Lemonade sure was sweet, wasn't it? ; )

[WCD]

I totally needed to read this tonight. I was too busy feeling sorry for myself -- and whining about myself. And I did my normal run through my blogs and read your stuff and loved it.

Totally pure. I need pure tonight.

[Aubs]

beautiful...there just isn't much more to say. What a priceless time and memory...God truly does work in mysterious ways! May the Lord's blessings rain down on you this Mother's Day weekend!

[Emily]

What a beautiful post... What a beautiful way to turn a day around...

[Amanda-VintageDutchGirl]

You make the BEST lemonade...

[Melanie]

I'm goosepimply. Too often we hit speed bumps in our day to day and still don't slow down so life puts a huge pothole (or in your case a bike) in our path to force us to slow the heck down.

Great post. I feel the urge to buy a juicer...

[Beth/Mom2TwoVikings]

Good for YOU! Been working on my reactions to situations like that. We were down at the lake yesterday too...just a few miles away! *wink*

[Shantel]

What a beautiful post Beth. I admire your thinking. This is a moment you will treasure forever.

[crookedeyebrow]

How wonderful that you turned your day around. Way to go. Ariel will remember it too.

[amber]

What a beautiful day!! It is amazing to think how much we miss when we are so focused on something else! I am glad you got to enjoy your day and spend time with your boys!!! *hug*

[Jdude]

I wonder how many times when we get "locked out" we are really being blessed and we just forget to notice....