Day 11: One of Those Days

I kept hearing another tune about her, one that would prompt me to compose a poem but the rhythm was stilted; it just wouldn’t come. There would be ebbs and flows and then I had to let go because the poem about the strong black woman just wouldn’t come. I was examining her history, seeing how she came to be, even be me, but the words wouldn’t come. Maybe they stayed away because they didn’t want to add to my already crowded day. As I kept inviting them in, their refusal helped me to see that my day is what I should share. Yeah, it’s been one of those days.

My husband, Flynn, was off today so I volunteered to take our oldest to school so Flynn could sleep in. Joshua had to be there by 7:44. I arose at 5:30 to the sounds of Nate, my 2 year old. I got us both dressed and decided he would go with us. After fixing breakfast and lunch and headed to leave, I hear my six month old scream. Not loud but enough to let me know “Daddy won’t do.” So Justus does his do with his crusty shut eyes because he has pink eye so I decided to take him, too. We would go to Urgent Care after dropping off Josh.

Though I arrived before the clinic opened we weren’t the first to be seen. The children weren’t cranky and I had a nice time talking with another patient about faith, fitness and making a living. In and out of the doctor and with a prescription filled in an hour and a half, I was headed home with two sleep children that would allow me blog time and time with God. But, you know, it has been one of those days.

Flynn met me because I left my house keys at home. After we put the children to bed, I tried to blog. I would have quiet time with God later because quiet time just isn’t quiet time when someone else is cooking in the kitchen. Flynn made us breakfast. I usually blog at breakfast but blogging at breakfast just isn’t the same when someone is eating with you. Then the phone rang; Flynn answered it and it was for me. Then he couldn’t find his keys. I stopped to help him find his keys. Then the phone rang; Flynn answered it and it was for me. I got off the phone to continue to help him find his keys. Justus wanted to be held. Justus wanted to be fed. And we still looked for Flynn’s keys. A day off for Flynn on my work day just isn’t the same work day for me. So, you know, it has been one of those days.

After an hour, we decided Flynn would use my keys and figured Josh had the keys in his school bag or he hid them from “Swiper” Nate (all you Dora watchers know what I’m talking about). Just as Flynn left, my father-in-law rang the doorbell, I was changing the baby’s diaper and Nate hollered to let me know he was awake. The time was now 1:15 p.m. I fed both children, sat down to write and just hoped I would have something to say. Yeah, it has been one of those days.

I remember, before I evicted the strong black woman as I knew her, when I would get mad, stressed out and full of blame when the day didn’t go as I planned. Even though I’m a little crusty and need to get fresh for the day, I’m all right. Even though I have two more appointments and not as prepared for one as I’d like, I’m okay. I choose to believe Proverbs 16:9: “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” I planned to have a certain blog to you today, but God directed me to bless my husband and nurture my children. Yes, it’s been one of those days, but because of God’s direction, I know I have not been led astray. I’m looking forward to the final outcome of another one of those days.

Copyright 2010 by Rhonda J. Smith

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