It’s the little things

Have you ever stopped to consider that it is the little things throughout the day that often have the ability to add the extra whipped cream on top of an already fabulous ice cream sundae or throw a wet blanket on an already rainy parade?

Seemingly insignificant irritations and hurts that tend to pile up. . .

• Your spouse forgets to say “I love you” or to kiss you goodnight
• Burnt dinners
• Your friends don’t ask “How are you?” desiring a transparently honest answer
• Wet socks
• No one in your family seems to notice that the dishes are piling up and the laundry is dirty
• Depression sets in after a bout of disappointments
• Someone splashes Gatorade all over your skirt, legs and boots during lunch
• Rush hour traffic

Seemingly insignificant blessings that prove, on the other hand, that there is a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow . . .

• Caramel drizzles and salt sprinkles on your coffee
• Sunshine
• A wonderful, long-distance phone call with your mother
• Fireplaces
• Corny jokes
• Unexpected flowers
• Hidden love notes in your lunch
• A good hair day
• “Happy tears” when your husband confesses that he dreamed last night about the baby you don’t yet have
• Freckles
• Heavenly homemade peach cobbler eaten with plastic silverware, while an anxious 7th grade cook looks on
• Lots and lots and lots of espresso

I’m having a “little things” day. There’s been inconsequential annoyances, and there have been surprising blessings. Right now, I’m just tired. I can’t quite make sense of my senses. Yet, as I sit and ponder by the fireplace, I’m simply grateful for the little things. My husband did the dishes. I’m wearing pajamas. I only dealt with one upset parent today. Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha last two class periods. The buttery peach cobbler was worth every last calorie. And, there is a tiny, tiny chance that tomorrow will be a snow day. It’s the stuff that dreams are made of.