I’m not even sure this would be considered a paradox, but here’s what happened this morning:
Our daughter is a senior in high school, and one of the things she’s looked forward to is the trip math and science seniors take to Chicago. They left at 3:00 A.M. this morning to return around midnight on Saturday. It’s a short trip with a ton of stuff to see and do. The problem is, it’s leaving at 3:00 A.M.! That means that she had to be up at 2:15 A.M. to leave by 2:35. She comes in, wakes us up (like we wanted) and we say good bye. My wife and I doze back off, but then landline rings once. Usually, when that phone rings, it’s nothing good. My wife answers the phone, and gets a dial tone. So, I start calling my daughter. Called her three times, no reply.
#crap
So, we start getting dressed, getting ready to go see if she’s in a ditch or something worse. We tend to be worst case scenario kind of parents, so as we are grabbing keys to head out, and we get the text “just got to school.”
#what
So, the FOURTH time I called, she answers. Yes, she’s there. No, she didn’t call. So, needless to say, it’s hard to go back to sleep when you’ve had “where is my daughter” floating around in my head! But, sleep does come, a whole two hours, but it’s a little bit more.
As I pull into work this morning, the amazing pinks and yellows in the sky, the life that was waking up all around. I had to stop, and just sit in my truck and watch as the sun rose up over the horizon in all its glory. It something to put the early morning stuff into perspective, that one can stop and enjoy the beauty that is around you.
Needless to say, find those small slices of time that make you stop and watch. They can feed the rest of your day! 🙂
March 18, 2016 at 8:41 pm
This so reminds me of years ago when my oldest daughter had to be at the high school at 2:00 am to leave on a band trip. This was before she could drive, so of course we had to get up and get her.
March 18, 2016 at 9:07 pm
It’s funny you say that. I spent September through February driving my youngest daughter, a sophomore, to school at 6:15 A.M., three day a week. It’s amazing the crazy (and tiring) place life takes us! 🙂
March 18, 2016 at 8:44 pm
Oof, what a scary moment! The not knowingness of it all is the worst, but you captured it beautifully! Glad it all turned out OK, and that you got to have a moment of reflection about it all!
March 18, 2016 at 9:04 pm
Sometimes, that reflection just gives those emotions more flavor and depth. I’m just glad I can share a little bit! 🙂
March 18, 2016 at 8:46 pm
Yikes! Parenting teenagers- definitely not for the faint of heart. Glad she is ok! And glad you got to start a new day, after that very short night, with a glorious sunrise.
March 18, 2016 at 9:00 pm
Somedays, it’s amazing just how our emotions can roll around! 🙂
March 18, 2016 at 8:54 pm
Ugh! I feel your pain. I would have panicked as well. My blood was even raised a little while reading your slice!
March 18, 2016 at 9:02 pm
Tell me about it! It took a bit of deep breathing to get the heart rate back down! 🙂
March 18, 2016 at 9:02 pm
Sorry to read about your worry and glad to know she is okay. Taking time to stop and notice is really important, I bet those early morning moments did feed your day.
March 18, 2016 at 9:05 pm
That energy fueled a lot of fun conversations with teachers and students! 🙂