It's All About Perspective

Dear Reader-

Recently, we had what we like to call "tubby time". All the children gather in the tub with a nice helping of bubbles, Baby Magic soap, washcloths, and a few toys. Next, Super Hubby and I gently scrub, wash, and rinse the freshly-cleaned gang. After drying little bodies, getting on jammies, rubbing lotion on dry hands and cheeks, and combing through hair, we put the laundry away, ring out the washcloths, and hang the towels. Only this time, there were not enough towel bars for the abundance of wet. This is where my issue begins.

Before going any further, I must relate my particular dislike of the insides of a shower and tub. I do not enjoy seeing the cold, wet, sterile interior of our washing stall and prefer for the shower curtain to always be drawn shut. Shower curtains serve great purposes, as they hide shampoo and conditioner, mask the occasional soap scum, and add a flare of decorative style to washrooms.

When our family finished the recent tri-weekly tubby experience, I soon realized that we lacked enough towel bars in our bathroom to hold the piles of wet towels. So, I reluctantly drew back the shower curtain (Ugh!) and draped a long, saturated, bright green towel (our bathroom is currently decorated for St. Patrick's Day) over the wide bar. (Gross!) As much as I didn't like doing it, I had to hang the wet towel somewhere! My choice was either over the shower bar or over the treadmill. I chose to keep the towels in the bathroom.

Relieved that this "arrangement" would only be for one night, I proceeded to wipe down the bathroom sink when my Princess Daughter came singing into the small quarters. With a delighted smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye, Princess Daughter gazed up at the green monster hanging over the shower bar and complimented, "Wow, Mama! Dat wooks great! It's so bootiful!!!" I stopped in my work and instead of explaining to her that it's actually an eyesore, I encouraged her aesthetic opinion and just said, "Thank you, Princess Daughter!"

She left the bathroom just as quickly as she appeared. Her visit was brief, but her impact was substantial. In that moment of time, Princess Daughter challenged all of my thoughts concerning the towel situation. Whereas I saw the foreboding green towel as a menacing intruder on my order, my lovely little 2-year-old Princess Daughter saw a marvelous new change in home decor!

Meditating on this event, I am reminded to let the small things go, and not be overly concerned about my likes and/or dislikes. When things in my view look hideous and gross and just gnaw away under my skin, others view these same things as A-okay, just fine, even gorgeous!

I'm so silly sometimes to get worked up inside over wet towels! After all, what does it really matter? My Princess Daughter loved my source of disturbance! I am freshly inspired to just relax and take life as it comes, rather than trying to make each part of it fit into my particular way of doing things. Thanks, Princess Daughter for your positive perspective! Maybe next time I see the shower curtain wide open, I'll just leave it there to reveal something "bootiful"!

Celebrating the ways in which my children change me,

Sarah D.