I feel very dumb. Life experience has taught me to never make plans and think things will go ‘as planned.’ I wonder how many days like yesterday it will take to teach me this very critical lesson?
I woke up at 7 a.m. expecting to get myself and the kids ready to start another day. While they were safely tucked away at school, I was to make a plasma donation and attend my Literary Analysis class. In the evening, hubby and kids were to accompany me to an Honors Awards ceremony where I was to be presented with an award. It was supposed to go like clockwork. The logistics were layed out, clothing was prepared, and no scheduling conflicts to get in the way. Life seemed in check.
I had just gotten Mary dressed, fed, and packed. It was time to wake Ryan and do the same. He’d had a difficult time sleeping, so I gave him a few extra minutes to sleep. I walked to his bed and shook his shoulders: “Ryan, time to get up buddy.” He turned his head towards me. Something was different about his face. “Sit up,” I said. Ryan sat up and I gasped. His face was swollen- actually, swollen doesn’t begin to cover it. Ryan’s face was inflated on the right side. It looked like someone had pumped air into him from his chin to his forehead. I told hubby to get Mary to school so I could rush Ryan to the emergency room.
We didn’t wait long before the doctor on duty came in to examine Ryan. His opinion was that Ryan needed a tooth removed and possibly had an infection. I told him we haven’t found a new dentist since we’ve moved to town. He said he’d call his friend who happens to be a dentist. I thought luck was on our side!! Well, that was short lived, as Ryan needed emergency oral surgery and had to be put under general anesthesia. I barely had time to talk to him about what was going happen. He was very brave, but of course, this added drama to the day and interrupted my carefully laid plans. I did not make it to my plasma appt. or my lit class. I was holding out hope to make it to the awards ceremony.
After getting Ryan home and tucking him in to bed, I picked up Mary from school. I thought hubby could stay home with Ryan and my daughter would enjoy seeing her mommy shine. Boy, I couldn’t have gotten that more wrong!! Mary complained during the whole ceremony. I was distraught to say the least. After working my ass off for two years, I deserved my Honors Award! Mary made sure I knew that I was nothing special. I got the message loud and clear. There were a few good moments, but overall, I was disappointed. It seemed that all the award winners had their entire clan in tow, had cheerleaders as their names were called, and had great photo ops with their award. Me, nada.
When I got home, Ryan said he was feeling a lot better, which made my heart smile. Mary apologized for her behavior at the ceremony. That was a positive step. I decided to drown my sorrows in Facebook and e-mail, consequently tuning out hubby and the kids. Sometimes I need to escape. As if someone peeked into my soul and saw my tears, I got the BEST news. My poem, “Feeling It,” won an Honorable Mention nod in a literary competition. Also, my essay, “Three Boxes,” won second place in the same competition. Not a bad finish! As if that wasn’t enough, my Facebook page was loaded with well wishes for Ryan,real heart-felt thoughts and concerns for his condition. I was humbled. I was also reminded that in the general scheme of things, it isn’t always about me. Time to put on my big girl pants and deal.
