But then I found this picture that I took early this morning, as we went back to the fish hatchery (for the second time this vacation) to throw pellets at trout. And I remembered: the day wasn't all bad.
The boys kept wanting everyone to hold hands. We fed the fish. We had our first family car wash experience. The boys "scored 8 points!" gleefully running around a whiffle ball field. Lucas and I had a lot of fun at the pool while Finley took his nap without waking up in the middle of it crying. I took a short nap with both boys cuddling up next to me. We had pizza for dinner. It was a good day.
Sometimes I'll ask Lucas how his day was and all he can remember is each time he cried that day and what triggered it. I hear his answer and immediately think, "Seriously? But there were so many good things! How can you only remember the two events that took up 15 minutes out of your entire day??" And I'll proceed to remind him of the picture he drew that he declared was the funniest ever or the hour he spent outside chasing the lawnmower or the games of follow the leader that left him out of breath with laughter.
He's 4 and I'm 33 and sometimes we're not so different. Sometimes we just need a reminder of what we've forgotten, that the good almost always outweighs the bad, and that it's up to us what we choose to focus on.
Tomorrow is a new day. A new day to choose joy. A new day to choose patience. A new day to choose gratitude.
Tomorrow is a new day, but really, today wasn't half bad.
I can totally relate! The last one or two hours of the day can to be super frustrating, because everyone is tired and you have literally given your all to your family all day. To help me focus on the good things that happened earlier, I have a marker board on the fridge that I write on throughout the day. I jot down the funny quotes, the amazing milestones, and the surprising creativity as it occurs. Then later that night, after my 2 year old is in bed asleep, I jot down those precious memories in my journal. It is AMAZING how I had forgotten all the little funny and sweet memories of the day, because I was so mentally and physically exhausted! It’s a great way to recall and focus on the many, many good things that happened that day. It also reassures and lifts your spirit when you need it most! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYes! I do a similar thing by jotting things down on my phone so I can remember to journal about them at night. It's all about the little things! Also, 2-year-olds are so much fun :)
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