I got a chuckle this week when I ran across this excerpt from my book, Too Blessed to be Stressed for Moms, and I thought you might too. Enjoy!
They’re Not Crow’s-Feet; They’re Chuckle Crinkles
(c) 2018 Debora M. Coty
“You know me inside and out, you hold me together” (Psalm 41:12 MSG)
Since her two sons became old enough to make face-flushing observations, thirtysomething Heidi made it a point to pull herself together before they saw her in the morning. Nothing fancy, just the bare necessities to start the day – undies, pants, bra, shirt, face splashed, bedhead tamed.
One school morning, Heidi overslept and stumbled out of bed, dazed and bedraggled. When she emerged from the bathroom in the same raw condition in which she’d entered, she was surprised to see her eleven-year-old son sitting on her bed, watching wide-eyed.
“Wow. Now I see why girls need to spend so much time getting ready.”
When he realized his mistake (the pillow hurled at his head might have tipped him off), he attempted a desperate save. “But it’s okay, Mom – you look, uh, fine. Really. Well, maybe if you just … like … iron your hair or something …”
Motherhood (and grandmotherhood) is full of those poop-or-get-off-the-pot moments when we must make the pivotal, attitude-forging decision whether to laugh or cry. Many of our routine, everyday situations are too bizarre, unbelievable, or blatantly disgusting to do anything else.
Sure, sometimes we cry … when projectile tears of frustration burst forth before we can stop them. But other times, we do have an option, albeit fleeting. So why not choose laughter? It’s contagious. It’s healthy. Especially for those young work-in-progress humans at your house learning how to handle stress for the rest of their lives by watching you.
Listen, the odds are never in your favor that the day-to-day insanity will cease as long as kids tsunami your home. But you can surf the overpowering wave rather than be scraped along the broken-shell-strewn bottom. Choosing laughter will buy you to the top.
To be continued next week, dear BFFs – see you then!
P.S. I still have a few open dates for Christmas and spring events, so don’t tarry if you want to reserve a specific date for your group’s special event – I’d be delighted to come love on your ladies – just invite me!