Lessons Learned

After I complained about my coworker, I found that there were things I didn't know about her.

Tuesday night, quite late, I awoke to find that Biggs was making that extra-swallow sound, the kind that means that something's about to happen. He jumped off the bed and started hacking. I got him into the bathroom as quickly as I could. (You know it's easier to clean yack off of linoleum than it is the carpet.)

He threw up, and there were flecks of blood in it, and at that moment, I knew I wouldn't sleep any more that night.

The next day was just as tough, and as I did research on the internet (stay off the internet!) I started to cry.

People, I am not a crier. I rarely cry, and if I do, I rarely let anyone see me do it. But I couldn't stop myself, so I called my coworker into a conference room and just let go.

She was so sweet; she pet my hair, let me cry, and she did the most important thing. She didn't tell me it was all going to be OK. And there were no apologies. She let me leave early so I could keep an eye on Biggs. How amazing is that? She let me have her strength when I had none.

Later that night, the boy told me that he lost his wallet. This frustrates me, because I have such strong habits that I rarely lose anything. I wasn't as understanding as I could have been because I get frustrated with his frailties.

Tonight, when I was checking out at Target, I realized that not only did I not have my ID, I didn't have my debit card. Luckily, the cashier knew me and let it go, and I was able to pay with a credit card.

I mean, really. How much clearer could those lessons be? I'm just as human as everyone else is, and I'm grateful for it. Do me a favor and remind me that I'm not in control of everything, and there is help available when I need it.