Be Happy
One time, my husband, oldest and I were at Parker's Maple Barn over in Mason when we bumped into some friends of ours. Their oldest, who was my daughter's best friend, was 3 at the time and as all parents of 3 year olds know, the terrible twos are just a warm-up.
When we took a tour of the grounds, we spotted a sign that read, "Be happy" and my daughter was all over it because who knew there were signs to tell us how to feel? During breakfast, our friends' daughter had a meltdown as overstimulated 3 year olds are wont to do and my then 4 year old watched in shock and a bit of awe, as her friend was carried out, kicking and screaming, by her mother to find a quiet spot. Our daughter turned to us and said, "but the sign said, 'be happy' so why is she so upset?" If only we were all so literal, then perhaps signs like that one at Parker's would make life that much easier, don't you think?
So, as this week drew to a close, memories of that sign came to mind as we found ourselves holed up inside due to daily thunderstorms, lack of disposable income (summer off work = no pay), and a sick husband. I was ready to tear my hair out from the complaining, crying, moaning and groaning, arguing, sulking, yelling and <insert your own action here> that no amount of parenting skill can offset. So out of sheer desperation, I created this sign to remind us all of the simpler things in life. And as my husband put this sign up on the wall, the clouds gave way to sun and everything was sunshine and rainbows in our world again. It was magic.
Then I got the bright idea of buying the vintage typewriter you see here because it was:
- cool, inexpensive, and novel for my 21st century children
- something to distract my girls so they weren't horning in on my computer time
and the magic powers of the sign dissipated and yet more arguing ensued. What's a tired mom to do? Well now I look at my happy sign and I remember the humble teachings of that sugar shack. I help my girls work out a solution together and they've started typing their frustrations out (my oldest types words, my youngest just pounds on the keys to annoy her older sister). I know there will be a next time so instead of waiting for the drama to unfold again (because goodness knows we have a whole lot of that in our home), I leave the room and go find my own padded room, er quiet spot, and everything is right in my world again.
So remember, that when the weight of the world has got you down, just be happy. Because the sign said so.
