The little things give me hope. After a rough week (decade) or so, I decided to join Ethan for his dental check-up. Not because I’m needed there, but I don’t want my lack of driver’s license to mean lack of parenting. Doctor and dentist appointments are good examples.
About a block before reaching Dr. Bacon’s office, we caught a red light at one of the busiest intersections in Elmhurst. Our dog lover radar went off quickly when my Mom and I spotted a little, four-legged friend walking casually down York. It was rush hour and the puppy was a few feet from traffic, no leash. Just as quickly, we spotted the owner, with a second little dog, and even less of an ability to see the one that took off. I rolled down the window and asked if she needed help and the sweet older woman was in such a state of shock that she couldn’t answer.
I decided to jump out of the car and chase the dog. I quickly learned that Sissie, the one on the loose, wasn’t going to fall for my pretend treat. I took my chances and grabbed her, returned to the owner and helped put the collar and leash back on. We even adjusted the collar a bit while Sissie was still in my arms, somehow perfectly comfortable. To be clear, I do not think my Sissie incident makes me a hero. It’s more of a thank you. If it hadn’t been for Sissie, I wouldn’t have found anything but seizures to think about. Today it’s about Sissie. And the Segway.
I had to Google “Segway” because the term Segway is actually is actually a trademark: it refers to a motorized, two-wheel personal vehicle. (Thank you, Merriam Webster online). Just minutes after the dog rescue, we learned my kids’ dentist not only owns a Segway, he rides it around his dental office. How cool right? My son, who told me he “hated going” to the dentist on our way there, couldn’t stop talking about the awesome experience having a dentist who rode a Segway and fist bumped after his check-up. This all happened (dental cleaning included) within 30 minutes but it was a big deal. Ethan’s smile lit up the room, not just because of where we were.
Then, while I wrote about the Sissie and Segway in my private journal, the song “‘Til the Calm Comes” played on my random shuffle. I downloaded it a few weeks ago after watching an awesome, moving story about the lead of the Hamilton musical here in Chicago, Miguel Cervantes, who recently learned that his baby girl has epilepsy. He wrote and sang this for the cause. I figured the song and the timing of it on my playlist were a sign. A great segue, one could say, back into my purpose on this crazy planet. ‘Til the Calm Comes for sure. Click here to watch the story
Today I feel like the poor birds flying into my windows and injuring themselves. I know they don’t deserve to be confused and hurt but it just keeps happening. I try to “hang in there” and “know this is all happening for a reason” and I pray but here is what I’m really thinking and feeling.
Seize the Day with Sarah 