How About That

I will admit straight off that I woke up this morning feeling utterly crappy. Just plain gross. I haven't felt particularly well for over a week now, and I woke up in that mood where you absolutely do not want to see or speak to another human for at least an hour or two. But of course, my kids were up running around at 6 this morning, a good hour-and-a-half before they normally get up, after having taken thrice as long to fall asleep last night as is typical. Uh huh. I'm pretty sure they got a good glimpse of Cookie Monster after having gone days without a cookie. There was a distinct lack of cheeriness involved. It wasn't pretty.

I calmed down enough to keep from turning them against me, but that feeling just wouldn't go away. Honestly, my first (and subsequent hundred) thought was, this is the week of kindness...Monday was incredible...how can I feel like this?? But alas, there it was. Still. The original plan for today was nixed early this morning- I suppose things really do change constantly. I saw my neighbor (our favorite, honest, full-of-life neighbor), explain to him this crappiness, and said that I was going to ask my son what he thought would make someone's day today...he's always full of kind ideas. My neighbor quickly said, "Or maybe what you can do to make his day today..."

Ah. Yes. I see.

I came inside, got Evan up on my lap, and apologized for the hungry Cookie Monster business. Naturally, he said something along the lines of, "It's okay, Mom...I know...it happens...", and the like. There was hugging. Then he asked if I was still going to do today what I had planned. I told him that things had changed. I asked what would make his day today, and he said:

"Let's go to the park! Well, you know, we could go to the park and play and pick up litter! How about that, Mom? We'll, like, play and stuff, and if we see trash on the ground, we can throw it away. Remember that really messy park with the cool lake and swing set? How about we go there?"

And just when you think he's finished....

"Oh! We can pack a lunch, so you don't have to spend money, 'cause I know you don't have very much, and then throw our trash away when we're done! How 'bout that??"

Single tear. Okay, maybe two or three.

Physically speaking, I still feel yucky. Spiritually speaking, I feel like my son is made of flowers and light and positivity and sunshine and a gentle breeze and...well, frankly, it makes me feel a little more that way too. Even just for a day. Credit where credit is due- children are spreading the kindness today. Time to go to the park.