FLUSTERY DAY

While Winnie the Pooh talks of a blustery day, it occurred to me that what I had yesterday was a ‘flustery’ day. In my mind, I had my day planned out, which included getting ready for my afternoon class at my church. I would create a guide sheet as part of my lesson, to go along with the video we would watch. My plan was to print up my guide sheet, get everything together for my class, then go over to the nearby pool for a swim before I left for the church. This would give me time to pray, which I do as I swim, leaving me in a very calm and relaxing mood.
My computer and printer had other ideas. A little box came onto my computer screen to tell me there was ‘incompatibility’ with the printer. No, this could not be happening! I needed this guide sheet in order for me to facilitate my class! An hour and a half went by, with me continuing to make my printer and computer friends once again. I became a bit ‘stressed,’ knowing I needed this guideline for my class, with the time now creeping up upon me. Desperate, I called my husband at work, who nicely said he would come home to help me. He never did get my computer and the printer to like one another, but he was able to take my material, transfer it to his computer, and get it printed for me. Now, there were only minutes to spare before I had to rush out the door. Being late are two words not in my vocabulary.
So much for my planned schedule. There was no time for that swim or my prayer time. I put on spiritual music in the car, to get me calmed down. I was flustered, but did not want to be so by the time I got to the church. I settled into the room my group meets, only to find out I left my workbook of notes at home. I could see in my mind exactly where it was, right beside my laptop. I was able to make do, talking to the group for part of the session, saying it was then time to put on the video. I told them how fast the people talked in the video, making it hard to take in all they were telling us; thus, the guide sheet they could easily follow as they listened. At this point, I let out an, “Oh, no! The video is still sitting in my machine at home!” The group had to start laughing, as they know how I am usually too organized, to the point of being obsessive compulsive. It is in my nature to make sure everything runs perfectly.
I said I would conduct the class from the guide sheet, elaborating on each point. As I did so, it brought out unexpected dialogues among the group, ones that would not have been expressed had there been the video. Words said were vital, emotional and quite moving. I actually saw it was good I forgot that tape. Feelings of others would have remained trapped inside of them if there had not been the opportunity to speak. It is much easier to speak out in conversation than interrupting what is occurring on the screen.
A nun once told me there is no such thing as coincidences. This was a perfect example of God being there, taking a part in all of this. He seemed to know that though I was out of my comfort zone, it provided moments for others to step in, sharing beautiful, spiritual, moments with one another. My ‘flusterly’ day ended up being a good one. However, I do hope my printer and laptop will reunite, liking one another forevermore.

UNEXPECTED LAUGHTER

As I have mentioned before, it is fun to laugh, as it is good it can be for the spirit and soul. A story of the past came forward yesterday, as we had egg salad sandwiches for our Easter picnic. We had plenty of hard-boiled eggs, decorating them the day before. I recalled the time of one our teens was baking in the kitchen, while my husband and I sat in the next room. Another sibling went out to the kitchen, noticing eggshells among the batter in the mixing bowl. Puzzled, it was asked why there was egg shells mixed in. The answer, stated seriously, was that the recipe asked for egg whites! My husband and I could barely contain ourselves as we heard the answer. Our child told the sibling what egg whites meant. Bursts of laughter erupted from the kitchen. We then knew we could let out our stifled laughter. I still laugh every time I recall the story.
Another memory takes me to the time one of our children, about age six, told me about kneeling down beside the bed each night before crawling into bed. I thought that was wonderful, asking what was said while kneeling there. The response was, “The Pledge of Allegiance.” I had to turn my head, as if I had noticed something across the room, so my grin would not be seen.
I have my own story or two of a simple situation becoming one of hysterical laughter. I had just started working as a legal secretary for the State Attorney General’s Office. There was an office luncheon held at a fancy restaurant my first week of work, to recognize accomplishments of certain employees. As I sat in my chair, I rested my feet on the horizontal bar between the two front legs. I have no idea how I did it, but somehow, my feet, inside knee-high boots, slipped behind that front bar. I could not get them out! The woman on the right side of me asked what the matter was, as she saw me wiggling as I sat. I quietly told her what I had done. Bending down, she tried to pull them out, but could not. The lady on the left side of me noticed something going on, and joined in with the other gal to help release my feet. I sat there, completely helpless. Soon, others asked what was going on. Of course, the laughter had started, as more found out about the new employee on board, the restaurant full of our staff. Finally, two assistant attorney generals, wearing their three-piece suits, had to crawl under the table on their backs, working quite some time to get my feet free once again. Forget about all those awards of recognition. I took the cake. Nothing like the most recent staff member putting on a comedy show! We all returned to work that afternoon, about 60 of us. Lawyers continued to come into my office the rest of the afternoon, unable to work, as they were still laughing, picturing me stuck in the chair.
God has blessed me with a wonderful sense of humor, one where I can share a laugh as easily as laughing at myself. Life is serious enough already. God puts in this little nuances in life to serve as a reminder that it is okay to let go and enjoy the life He has provided us.