Force of Nature

Today I said out loud to the living room ," This house looks like it was hit with a tornado." After the words left my mouth I instantly go a knot in my stomach.  The pictures of devastation that I had been seeing throughout the day came quickly into my mind. A portion of Oklahoma was literally turned upside down. Mommy's and Daddy's desperately trying to reach their children. Praying that the bravery of school teachers and strangers would bring their babies out of the ruble. I only had one of my senses involved in this mayhem, my sight.  But the people involved in the disaster must have been on sensory over load. The smell of melting plastic and the pains of smoke and dust burning their lungs. Can you imagine the way it feels to  have your sacred family albums crumbling in your hands?  Or hearing the walls, that separate you from the worlds daily chaos, just crashing down around you, on top of you?   The reality of those people loosing everything they had makes my complaint seem a bit ridicules.

I had cushions from two sofas thrown about the house, tiny piles of sandbox sand brought in from shoes on the burgundy carpet, cracker crumbs and some sort of sticky stuff on the coffee table, painting supplies on top of the TV, and other toddler and husband messes, but at least I had walls.  At least I knew where the little monster who created the upheaval was, at least I have a vacuum cleaner and Windex to clean up (or to not clean up.) My water taps work and I have chocolate ice cream in my freezer.

It is sad that someone else's tragedy bounces the rest of us back into a sense of gratitude and abundance.  I am praying for the people who are suffering today, as well as rejoicing for the crazy day to day journey that I am on.

I haven't made it out on a big outdoor adventure with my kids today. Taking them both to their well child/baby checkups was enough of living on the wild side for me.  Our quest started with me literally praying for a decent parking spot.  I knew that a trek across the asphalt wilderness while carrying a diaper bag and a purse in one hand, a 2 month old in a baby carrier in the other hand, and keeping my toddler out of traffic with my third, non-existent hand, might just kill me.  As I pulled into the parking lot, a beam of light shown from the heavens and  was directing me into the fourth parking space away from the door.  Hallelujah! Our pediatrician is the most amazing doc you could ask for but her office is located in a huge nationally ranked hospital and often one is better off taking the bus to appointments because at least you get dropped off closer to the door then when you have to park 3 foot ball fields away.

 I wont get into all the epic details, but I thought that having both children's appointment at the same time would make things easier.  No, not true. It wasn't easier but I think it was worth it. I feel like the doctor really got a nice look on how things actually go down in our family and she was able to give sound advice and encouragement.  Although my children are very, very young I feel that there was some brotherly bonding today.  Some empathy, as well as some humor was shared between the two of them. It was yet another lesson for me that the easiest way is not always the best.  But one can always be more efficient and save up that much needed momma energy. I am glad that I was smart enough to put their medical cards in the outside pocket of my purse, bring a snack for my toddler, have a coca-cola for me, have extra clothes for both children, and to write down questions I had for the pediatrician. Those things made it just a wee bit smoother.

Tonight, as my children sleep and I put the sofa cushions back, I say a little prayer of comfort to those who suffer in Oklahoma and a big prayer of gratitude for my messy home.

Tomorrow I have an outdoor activity planned.  Stay tuned.

May you too feel that your life is full of abundance, Shawnee