Lately in Utah we’ve had these tremendous lightning storms—the kind that light up the sky in purple and glowing white, five and six strands across. It was so amazing that after our date one night, my husband and I pulled over to the side of the road and just watched (it was far away!) But said lightning is not kid-friendly and for the last several nights our children have found their way into our bed/floor/eyeballs in the wee hours of the morning.
So one night I’m thinking sleep is on the horizon—no lightning and I had set up a pretend “tent” with my youngest daughter in honor of my husband and sons attending an overnight camp. We took great care in getting the blankets hung and weighted down just right. Later, she fell asleep in my arms and I put her to bed. Okay, all is well.
About 2 a.m. I hear the loud pitter patter of feet and anxious movement of tent blankets. My first thought is pepper spray, then I realize it’s my youngest, trying “fix” the tent. FOR AN HOUR. After several non-sleeping nights you can imagine my gentle loving reproof, which in fact, was actually gentle because I was so tired and frustrated that I couldn’t even cry (I know, violins in the background) and could only repeat her name, trying with vehemence but only succeeding in an asthmatic whimper.
Of course she settled down and stopped fixing the tent. Which was right about the time the dog began to snore. Loudly. Shake the rafters type noise.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
So I get up and move (none too gently) the dog and by now, I’m awake, fully, completely, and will not be able to return to my previous lovely slumber. And it’s 3 a.m.
My point to this bitter diatribe?
When life gives you lemons—or a fastidious daughter enamored with a blanket tent, or a dog with an allergy-stuffed nose—make lemon squares.
Instead of getting mad, I wrote. And ironically, I was able to write about 4,000 words on my women’s romance novel, an amount I’d been trying to write all week and had had zero time to do it. Later that Saturday I was able to take a nap and happily delight with my daughter in the nemesis of a tent.
So when life gives you lemons, or a wake-up call at 3 a.m., or a frustrating experience, look for the silver lining, or lemon square, or productivity factor.
And pray for a nap later in the day.
Best,
Connie
