Happy Monday! I hope you had a really nice weekend. I have done some major soul searching about blogging as of late. More to share on that later. One of the things I’ve realized is that I miss writing and sharing the occasional thought that goes deeper than the latest decorating trend or do it yourself project. So today I thought I would share about an event that happened just last week.
I was sitting on the not so attractive brown carpet we have in our upstairs hallway folding laundry. Pandora was streaming from my phone and as I was secretly timing myself to see how long it would take me to get the crumpled mound of clothing sorted and folded. I have an odd idiosyncrasy which causes me to see how quickly I can get a task done. It’s not healthy. But it’s me. “Marry Me” by Train was abruptly interrupted which irked me a bit because I adore that song.
My phone was ringing. I looked over at the number. My stomach sank in that weird way it does when you make that first drop on a roller coaster. Just enough to make you feel nauseous but you are ok to keep going. For a split second I had a selfish reaction. “Oh, man. All I wanted to do was finish folding all the laundry so I could say I actually accomplished something today.” But I figured it was the nurse calling to say one of my kiddos was sick. And of course I would drop everything and run right over. I don’t take for granted that the work I do is from home and I can be at the school in two short minutes. I tapped the green circle on my phone and said, “Hello!” “Mrs. Fernan. It’s the Principal calling.” Oh, my God. Who’s hurt? What happened? My children are both well behaved {at least at school} so in a split second I knew they weren’t busted for decking a kid or for launching a spit ball attack. They, he, she, were hurt. Was she calling with the paramedic standing next to her? Over my child? Was I going to have to make the dreaded call to my husband that one of our children broke all four limbs falling from the monkey bars.
My head was spinning. My stomach ache worsened. I went to the dark place. “Don’t worry, everything is ok.” she blurted out. Everything is ok? Like he is alive but on a stretcher, ok? What did she mean? “Nothing is wrong. This is a good news phone call home about your son, Grady.” I could breathe again. My body sank into a little puddle on the carpet as all of the tension I had conjured up in three seconds somehow escaped from my body like helium from a balloon if you don’t tie it off. I exhaled deeply and listened.
“I am calling on behalf of your son’s teacher to let you know that he is a role model to the entire class and he is excelling in school. He is just doing such a great job and we wanted you to know.” Pride. Gratitude. Relief. Pride. I was just so happy. I immediately wanted to shout the good news from the rooftops. Or at least call my husband, Grammy, Papa and Grandma Sue. This was a beautiful moment and I was just so proud to be Grady’s mommy. I told the Principal that. After thanking her for such a wonderful phone call I told her that we feel very fortunate to be his parents. And we do. I also told her she scared me half to death.
So here’s the thing. My expectations were flipped upside down. I immediately associated that phone number on my phone with bad news. Why? Why do we do that? Why do we allow expectations of things to create a negative avenue for energy? I went to the worst case scenario. I do that. Do you? I can’t even blame it on a track record of unfortunate phone calls in the past. There haven’t been all that many in my lifetime. It really stirred up so many emotions in me. What is it about our day to day life that has us thinking, “When will the other shoe drop?” I wasn’t cognizant that I was doing that but this phone call was proof. And while I could go on and on about that subject, what I find even more intriguing is that there is an opportunity each and every day for us to be the phone call home from the Principal.
How can I change someone’s expectations? How can I, with grace and a generous spirit, simply make that call to someone? How can I surprise, help, reach out or lift up a friend or even a stranger. In doing so, don’t we take a step toward reminding people that our day to day lives are in fact rich with love and with blessings. That the other shoe is not about to drop and that there are so many reasons to smile and be filled with a beautiful and healthy pride. Can you call someone today and unexpectedly change their day? Make them smile. If not for anything more than just to say, “Hello. You are doing such a great job and I just wanted you to know.” And then you can go back to folding laundry. I did. But with a smile so deep inside that I could barely sit still. An ordinary day had turned extraordinary. __________________
This is lovely Courtney. I love these types of posts. It's nice to connect with a person who shares similar feeling to mine, rather than simply a "designer". Congratulations on doing such a great job with your son (and daughter!) There is no greater compliment someone can pay me than to tell me in doing a good job with my girls. I mean, it's so important right? Keep smiling and have a great day!
What a wonderful phone call – I am always saddened at how most teachers or schools will always phone when a child has misbehaved but aren't as quick to praise so this is beautiful and heart warming! You're a great mom x
Aw you must be SO proud 🙂
XO Ellen from Ask Away
http://www.askawayblog.com
Courtney, I felt your elation when Ryan told me about the call – so proud of my little man (and his sister BTW). Just want to add that if you are considering writing essays/articles instead of blogging – you definitely have the talent and insight to do so. I/we would miss the daily blogs and instagrams, but this may be your true calling.
Grandma Sue
So glad you shared. Yes, all too often the phone call home from the school is due to negative behavior. So when they do in fact call home with something positive we have a hard time grasping it! Yes, there needs to be more positive phone calls made all the way around.
I will admit, I have missed your occasional "life" post as you write so beautifully about what many are going through themselves.
Praying you find direction where you would like to see your blog go in the future. It is a hard decision to make a change.
Even though I don't have kids, I could really relate to your feelings. I often have the thought that the other shoe is going to drop when things are going too well. I wish I could change and anticipate that when something unexpected happened it would be positive. My "resolution" for the year is more smiles.
You have a wonderful way with words, Courtney. I hope that you figure out what you want with your blog. Make sure it is a happy place for you and not stressful.
What a wonderful phone call! I can totally relate to your feelings. I often struggle with fear- and I just identified it as such a couple of years ago. Sometimes, I feel like my life is going so well that I almost expect bad things to happen. I know it's not healthy, and it's definitely not what God wants for me or you or anyone else. Each morning, I pray on the way to school with my kids, asking God to help us bless others today. It's so much easier to do than we realize, I think. And, I often fall into bed at night, wondering how and even if I accomplished that. Thank you for reminding me that a phone call is enough- surely, I can manage that between loads of laundry today 🙂
What an absolutely perfect post. Congrats on your son and for the great job you are doing as parents, and also for reminding us to reach out and touch someone.
Love this and you! Way to go big G! He must be so proud : )
I LOVE this! And can I just tell you, that my heart sank reading this, and I was just hoping it was good news. I think we as parents are always so worried about our kids. And even as they get older, the worry doesn't go away. We will always be that way. But I think a reminder that more good can happen than we realize, is so refreshing and happy to think about. I am so excited for you that you got such a great phone call. It really is those little surprises in life that change your whole outlook on things. 🙂
OK, I am so glad you shared all of this….. from timing yourself on laundry to not wanting to be interrupted to automatically assuming the worst…. we are cut from the same cloth! Thanks for writing a heartfelt post. I know you are one proud mama!
Love this post. I immediately go there. I see the school phone number and my first thought is who's sick… If I heard that the principal was calling, I would think just as you did – that it must be way worse! How wonderful that your school principal is so in tune with the students and families to give you such a nice phone call. 🙂
I also love your reminder to be the person delivering the call with happy news or just a thoughtful message. Looking forward to more!
I just love your heart! So glad you are deciding to share more thoughtful writing in 2015. It is such a breath of fresh air to hear others struggling with the same things and then rejoicing with their positive outcomes. Love you friend!
Sweet little Grady…what a precious boy! and such a great school to take the time to make that call, too! And yes, I worry about the shoe dropping when life is going 'too good.' But now that I think of it, that's like gifting someone something nice, and them saying, 'Why are you giving me this?!?! Are you going to take it back?? I don't deserve it!" I'd never say that…yet me waiting for the shoe to drop is like saying all that to God…after all, He's blessed us with this life, right?! Ok, that was deep. And now I feel better about life going good! 😉 xo
I read your post early this morning and it hit home on several levels. I came back now to comment. First of all what an amazing and special young son you have! You and your hubby are amazing parents. Such a wonderful call to receive and how proud you must be. Secondly, you are a beautiful writer Courtney. You have a gift. Thank you for this beautiful and heart felt post today. Happy Monday to you friend.
I'm a teacher and I often call home for good reasons. You wouldn't believe how many parents get freaked out about a good phone call.
I really appreciate that you opened up about blogging and positive vs negative thinking, etc. It's easy to forget that so many days everything we do is a choice. Looking inward and maintaining a postive outlook can be done naturally once we get in the pattern. My dad always said he never worries about things he can't control anymore and when it really comes down to it… it's a choice that he makes every day. It's a choice to try to be happy. It's a choice to try and look at the positive in others. It's a choice to make things more meaningful whether it be content with blogging or time with the kids. Thanks for the reminder. It makes me think of my dad who I love so much miss. ️xoxo
I would have had the same reaction. You are an awesome momma! It's crazy that you used the phrase "when will the other shoe drop" because my devotional from SheReadsTruth.com had the same exact phrase in it today. No doubt God is speaking to me 🙂 Here's a link for the devotion! http://shereadstruth.com/2015/01/12/mine/
I applaud you and your husband for raising such a sweet boy! Nowadays, its a lot harder to raise a caring and thoughtful child, I'm always amazed at how much kids are allowed to get away with because it's just so much easier than to deal with them and their actions. And what a great school your kids are in to have the principal make such a call! Every single time I see a call from the school come in I wonder how sick my child is and how soon I can take them to see the Dr. I've had only two call from the teacher themselves, the first one from last year to let me know my child was struggling. The second this year, and I automatically though that my child was still struggling still, but was so very surprised to hear the opposite. That call made my day. I wish more teachers would make such calls, and I truly hope that they let the students themselves know that too.
Hey Courtney, I thank your mother-in-heart for sending me the link to this and I thank you for you surely did make me smile this evening! If your counting votes, I vote for YES, PLEASE KEEP BLOGGING!!!! And, Sue, please keep sending the links. 😉
I loved this post. You are so right. I sometimes feel when life is good like I am in a soap opera and that too good meas bad is on the horizon. Such a horrible thing to do. I love the attitude of stopping this negative thoughts. Very inspiring. Thank you.
This was so sweet! And a much needed lovely reminder. Those are the very best types of calls to receive, so proud of your little Grady.