So Much For Planning...

Shhh...what's that sound? Oh, that's right -- it's silence. It's been so long since I've heard it that I almost didn't recognize it.

In case you hadn't guessed, today is the first day of school. To me, the first day of school always feels like the real New Year's Day. It was always a new start, a clean slate, a chance to re-invent yourself. As a mom, it's another chance to do it right...to be more organized, do more planning and generally control the chaos.

I had those grand plans...until this morning, that is.

I got up early, had my coffee and read my paper. Then, I went to wake the kids, only to find my son's beloved fish floating face-up at the top of the tank. It's the boy's first day in a brand-new school and the fish picks today to check out. When I saw that -- and the look on my son's face -- I burst into tears. But nothing prepared me for the gut-wrenching moment when my daughter walked over to her brother and hugged him. After a summer of fights and bickering and disagreements, that heartfelt display of sisterly affection was almost too much to take.

So we spent a good part of our getting-ready-for-school time talking about the circle of life and how important it is to have all that we need to thrive. In the end, he went off to school with a smile and the promise of a new fish.

Life's like that, isn't it? Our best plans get sidetracked by the unexpected and sometimes what matters most is that we just be there, in that moment. There was no orderly march to the bus stop to enjoy a few moments of amiable chatting before the bus arrived. Instead, it was a mad dash -- with my daughter attempting a most comical application of lip gloss while running -- to the stop, where I found the bus driver, already waiting, looking at me and tapping her watch.

As for those grand plans? We'll try again tomorrow.

Comments

[Alyssa]

I'm so sorry about the fish! Your kids seem like sweethearts (even with the bickering, lol!). Hope tomorrow goes a little more smoothly.

[Crabby McSlacker]

Oh dear, what timing! So sorry about the fish. But sounds like a great bonding moment.

[MizFit]

ahhh the little unexpected teaching moments huh?

times like that I realize how many more are coming down the proverbial pike.

M.

[Dara Chadwick]

Thanks, everybody. We had a moving fish funeral yesterday afternoon and welcomed two new fish -- Luke and Leia -- to our family.

I appreciate the moral support!