Archive for October, 2009

Have you ever had one of those weeks where everything kind of goes wrong?

A “someone took the last Little Debbie from the vending machine” kind of week?

Well, I have. And this was one of them.

I’d love to say that despite this week’s setbacks I behaved calmly, appropriately and with wisdom.

But that’d be a lie.

In fact, in the middle of the week, I was so upset that I turned to my sister and said, “Can I say something I don’t mean?”

“…sure,” she responded, hesitantly.

“I hate you,” I said.

This sent us both into a ridiculous fit of laughter because she knew I didn’t mean it and that for one moment I just really wanted someone to blame for the way life was going. (Yes, I realize I am the portrait of maturity.)

But two days ago, I decided that instead of looking for someone to blame, or marinating on the crappy hand that life sometimes deals me, I wanted to find and focus on ways I have been blessed this week.

This was much easier said than done.

Admittedly, in the midst of a time in your life when things are just not going the way you planned, it’s difficult if not impossible to have the eyes to see ways in which you have been blessed.

At first, when I panned back over the last few days looking for blessings, all I saw a were a lot of big, ugly setbacks. But slowly, and surely, I saw sprinklings of care, concern and support. I realized that throughout all of my struggles, I am surrounded by many, many people who love me.

Once I realized that love was the biggest blessing of my week, I took the famous passage that describes what love is and, point by point, recalled how various people in my life have shown me love this week.

This is what I uncovered:

Love is patient with me. Even when I knock the bed off of one of its risers and you spend 30 minutes with me disassembling it in order to fix the problem without ever rolling your eyes or losing your temper.

Love is kind and buys me lunch when I’m having a really awful day and then feeds me homemade cookie dough while listening to my problems.

Love does not envy me when I find a really great fall coat on sale when you were looking for one.

Love does not brag and is not arrogant even though you’re in a stable career and make way way (seriously WAY) more money than I ever will.

Love is not rude even when I have to ask for the zillionth time where you’re traveling this week because I wasn’t being a good listener.

Love does not insist on its own way even when you know for a fact that your way is better/faster/smarter.

Love keeps no record of wrongs, despite the fact that I said I’d call and I didn’t.

Love rejoices with the truth and consistently encourages me to be honest with myself and others.

Love bears all things (even when I forgot to do the dishes).

Love believes all things (and dreams my dreams when I haven’t the energy to do so myself).

Love hopes all things (reminding me that tomorrow is another day).

Love endures all things (even when I text message while you’re telling me a story).

Love never fails (thank you dear, dear friends and family).

When I got through the list, I was overwhelmed by all of the love that I overlook every day and how powerful it is when someone is simply there for you. It is through these subtle, unseen and undeserved moments that we realize how lifesaving it truly is to be loved.