Upon arriving at Avalon's preschool to pick her up this afternoon, I noticed she had about 100 rocks in the belly part of her t-shirt, with the bottom seam flipped over holding them all in. She was so proud of those rocks, and when I tried to tell her she could take a couple of them home, she gave me a look that said anything less than 100 was going to be unacceptable.
Not sure how I was going to let her in my car with 100 rocks, I asked her to walk over towards the gate while I grabbed her stuff. On her way, little by little, rocks were falling out left and right, because her little tummy just isn't big enough to rest the rocks against.
When she arrived at the sidewalk, she lost grip on the seam of her t-shirt, and all of her rocks came tumbling down to her feet. She looked so sad and defeated. I told her to try and pick them up, and as I walked away to get her backpack, she yelled out, "I know Mommy, how about we get a box?"
Just as I got to her classroom, I ran into the principal, who was very excited to tell me she had just bought a box of cereal bars for Avalon in the mornings, because they are her favorite. And lo and behold, there was the perfect box for her rocks.
My Wednesday evening AA meeting is held at her preschool, and as I walked in tonight, I walked right over the few rocks she missed. And it made me smile. For she showed so much maturity in that moment. Instead of melting down, she problem-solved. And I let out a sigh of relief. We're getting there.
Little moments of clarity, understanding, creativity, beauty, among the chaos of motherhood and life. Those little moments many times offer us a glimpse of the Bigger Picture. The breathe of fresh air that gets us through the mundane day to day tasks. A little push, or validation that we might just be doing things right. Head over to Sarah's site for more bigger picture moments, or to add your own.
Loved this! Loved her determination on carrying those rocks in her shirt...then her determination to get those rocks home one way or the other! She must have inherited this determination from her mom! So awesome that you are going to AA and are determined to stay healthy and sober!! Those rocks may have been God's little reminder to you how precious all your life is...and how happy He is you have the courage to embrace it!
ReplyDeleteFound you at "Bigger Picture" and I'm sooo happy I did. Beautiful piece!
Oh melt downs are so hard. The patience it takes to soothe their worries is can toll to great amounts in the preschool years, but when they problem solve... A lightbulb. A lovely little lightbulb that lights a way for them to see and for us to guide them by. And it is a start!! :) What a lovely & simple bigger picture.
ReplyDeletePS. I love your daughter's name!!!
Oh, yes, friend. We ALL are. We're getting there. :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a simple yet complex BPM -- a perfect capture amid the busy moments of life that would otherwise overtake such a realization. Thanks so much for sharing, Robin!
What blows me away is how God played a part in this. I cried and prayed to Him the entire drive home from work, telling Him how defeated and broken I have felt lately regarding raising my toddler (her recent defiance has revolved around school pick-up in the afternoons) and asking for help.
ReplyDeleteAnd while I thought it was really cool that she didn't melt down during yesterday's pick-up, I didn't think too much of it at the time. The fact that the rock scenario happened on the day of my meeting, when God knew I would go back there and see the leftover rocks, and take a picture, and really roll the entire episode through my head over and over, it wasn't until then that I realized God had answered my prayers. He is so good and cares so much about the littel details. Hy and Alita, I almost didn't see the full beauty in it (the lightbulb). But He pointed it out to me in a way I would see it.
Kristi, thanks for the positive insight regaridng AA. It helps me keep plugging along, knowing I have support. :-)
What I love about this (besides the fact that she's learning how to think around difficulties!) is that you weren't *pushing* her towards that decision. You gave her space and time, and THAT'S what's beautiful. Kids will bloom, but it's hard not to smash that blossom with our bossiness. Really, we ALL need space and time to learn.
ReplyDeleteAnd your prayers were answered just in the nick of time -- nobody wants an angry toddler with a fistful of rocks... :)
Thank you so much for sharing this moment with us!
No meltdowns! That's so amazing...my little Emmy is 3 1/2, also, and if we get through the day without a meltdown, it's a miracle! She just had one a little while ago--but we survived yet another meltdown and are happy now, as though it never happened. Such striving for independence from these little ones! Avalon's box idea was brilliant. :)
ReplyDeleteSarah, great visual of a toddler with a fistful of rocks!!!
ReplyDeleteGinny, I might need to get on a regular dialog with you and Hyacynth to take deep breaths over what our 3 1/2 year olds do to torture us. :)
This is such a great post, how many of us are that toddler carrying so many "rocks" that they spill out?
ReplyDeleteLess "deep" isn't" it so much fun to watch their brains mature and see them problem solve? I love it!