Unexpected Surprises

I am not a gal who handles surprises gracefully. In fact, I don't like them at all. It's a control issue with me. I like to know exactly what's going to happen. Granted there are obviously some times in life that are out of our control, and truly a surprise. But for the stuff that I have some say in, I want to have a say!

In this instance I was met with a pleasant surprise. One that I am always grateful for. As we know from my previous post, I have been the mommy from hell. Evil doesn't even come close to the wrath I unleashed last week on my chitlings. Yes, I did feel bad and yes, I did apologize. I think sometimes I just get so overwhelmed with trying to get things perfect, that I lose sight of the simple things that matter most. A sad but true fact.

My mood also compounded with a nagging guilt I had about leaving my kids for the weekend. Mind you, it was no different from any other weekend that I spend away from them. After all, they do have a father who is entitled to see them. It was the fact that a lot of stuff was going on that I wanted to be a part of, but committed myself to something else. I have always said that as mom's we have to make time for ourselves. Otherwise EVERYONE around us suffers. The guilt that comes with that decision is often insurmountable. And most of the time we think of it as unforgivable. When in fact it's neither. It's a personal pressure we place upon us that no one, but another mom, understands.

Here's where my surprise lay. And actually there were several over the course of a few days. My son, who mind you hates my very being most days, called me because he was bored. That made me feel good. And, when I got home no one was worse for the wear. They all had to tell me their stories, no one was upset. Everyone was extremely tired, brushed their teeth and went to bed without an argument!!!! Honestly?! Does life get any better than that???? Not in my book it doesn't. I always say it's the little things in my life that matter. And clearly that was the case. I'm in a better mood today and actually looking forward to spending the holidays with my kids, my family, my man, and his family. All that pressure and guilt I placed on myself melted immediately when we all fell happily asleep last night. Ahhhh, maybe an occasional surprise is good...MAYBE! Let's not get crazy now!