I did that this morning and wanted to share a page from a journal dated over 3 years ago. The entry is dated May 24, 2006.
May I have a moment to bless you? I mean really bless you?
As parents, we go through various rites of passage. When my children were younger it was getting them through the diaper stage, then graduating from the high chair, then using “grown up” plates and utensils, potty training...the list is endless. Today I would like to share a rite of passage with you. It is the rite we all know as vomit.
Currently I am in full blown “end-of-the-school-year” madness. You know, the time of year when the cosmic calendar collides in all directions: ball games, school parties, birthday parties, pre-school graduation, musicals, more school parties (haven't we had enough?)... The time when it is humanly impossible to be six places at once. And let me mention, we are supposed to not only attend all of these gala events, but we are to do so with genuine smiles gracing our lips while carrying a set up pom poms showing our never-waning spirit.
This morning was to be one of the calmer mornings. I had plans to attend only one of my son's school parties (a luau, ugh!), but my little girl threw up in the middle of the night. So, at 1 a.m. I was thinking, “Now, how am I going to pull this off? Who is going to want to babysit a vomiting 5 year-old?" This was probably just a short-lived bug, but I could not take her with me. I declined my son's festive occasion and knew I would be at home – where I should be. The lei went back to the closet.
After dropping Connor off at school, Katherine and I went to get some medicine at the store. She carried a little plastic bowl with her in case she got sick. She did not want to make a mess. What a lady! We made it through the store and all the way home without an incident. The Lord and I exchanged a spiritual “high five” and I thanked Him profusely for getting her through this particular outing. Safe in the garage I got her out of the car. Everything seemed fine. I should not have counted those pesky chickens before they had hatched.
Turning to get my purse from the front seat I realized my mistake. As if in slow motion from the corner of my eye, I saw Kate crawl back in the car. “Why is she getting back in the car?” I wondered. Then I saw the tell-tale signs of tension grab her little body. She proceeded to vomit all over the inside of the car! Timing and location are everything.
This is a good time to point out that this is a brand new car; not a 'new to me' kind of car, but a 'brand spanking new vehicle right off the lot' kind of car. I have driven it for all of 2 months.
So much for the new car smell.
I stood looking at her retching all over the back seat and envisioned my husband, red faced, hands balled into fists, shaking and proclaiming, Why now, Why the new car, Why me???? Trying to hold back the laughter from that thought, I reached to pull Katherine from the car. My laughter was interrupted by a new realization. Katherine had crawled back in the car in order to reach for her little bowl. What a precious little girl. She was trying to do the right thing - to vomit in the bowl. It never occurred to her that the place she was emptying her stomach might prove problematic.
As I wiped wisps of golden hair back from her face, I reassured her that she would be okay. I softly whispered to her how much I appreciate her and that she is such a gift to me. Now we are cuddled together waiting for the uninvited bug to run its course. I have extra time with my little girl. We are going to share a cup of Sprite together. Isn’t God good?
I have passed this rite of passage! The vomit-in-the-new-car didn't succeed in ruining my day. God also reminded me that sometimes my best laid plans for a day may get re-routed! After all we must learn to roll with the punches.
When I close my eyes I think I can see God smiling. Or wait, is that a smirk?
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