The Perfect Day

Busted Halo offers this today on the Fast Pray Give calendar:

FAST from standing on your soapbox today.
PRAY that you continue to be open to learning.
GIVE by sharing a life lesson you have learned with someone today.

How can I fast from standing on my soapbox while sharing a life lesson? I have a blog to write!

I've actually been struggling with this notion as I work on the blog each day. The last thing in the world I want to do is to seem as if I'm preaching, teaching, offering advice, claiming authority or knowledge I don't have, or speaking for anyone other than myself. (I guess that's several last things that I want to do.) As I've said, this blog is a way of disciplining myself to reflect on the scripture each day, and reflect on what Lent should be about for me. It's been working for me, though I continue to battle my own doubts about the value of the endeavor to the outside world. (The thinking and the writing are great for me; it just feels unnatural and narcissistic to post it for public consumption. But if I weren't doing that, I doubt I'd keep it up. Such is my conundrum.)

But it just so happens that today was one of the best I've had in a while, so I'm happy to share a little about it. Not sure what the lesson is: perhaps it will come as I write. The school where I work is on spring break, so I took advantage of the down time to keep my son home from daycare and bring him for his 18-month checkup (a month late). I usually dread days like today, because I worry about keeping him occupied and happy while keeping my own energy level up and my frustration level down. This winter has been a bear, and its resurgence in the last few days has not been welcome! (Snow? HELLO!? The Groundhog has some 'splaining to do!) How to entertain an active toddler in an apartment that you don't want to leave because it snowed inexplicably during the first week of spring?

It ended up being something like the perfect day. We went to the Children's Museum of Manhattan, which I've been wanting to do, we had a great visit with his doctor, he had a beautiful (read: long) nap, I got some couch time (part of any great day), and I cooked a healthy dinner for my family. At the end of the meal, we sang along with my iPod and then I just listened and watched as my husband and son made each other laugh from their bellies up. I couldn't tell you now what they were laughing about; I just remember thinking how grateful I am to be part of my family and to have so much love and laughter in my life.

What's the lesson? No clue. Maybe the lesson is more an anchor. Life is not always like this. Sometimes the laughs don't come so easily. Sometimes we have moments of real pain and struggle, even in the happiest homes. But during these dark moments, these personal winters, I will hold on to my memory of those belly laughs, and my own feelings of personal satisfaction for a day well spent. Even during the coldest winter, you figure out a way to make the sun shine.