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Thankful

Thankful for ignoring the weather forecast and taking a chance at the Playmobil Park. The weatherman was wrong, as usual, and there were only a few sprinkles.

Thankful for my friend Anne, who knew that her friend in Kentucky and her friend in Virginia would also be friends if ever they should meet. And we did today in Germany of all places. Thankful that Anne was right.

Thankful for juice boxes that can double as ice packs when kids fall and hurt themselves.

Most thankful for the kindness of strangers who don't speak the same language but share the language of motherhood. Thankful that when a three year old wandered away, this mother stayed with her until I found them. There were lots of tears. The three year old, me, and the other mother, who gracefully and silently left the two of us to cling to one another and just be thankful that nothing truly bad happened.

Thankful that the park had dryers for when seven year olds fall in the water.

Thankful for the 20 minutes it took for his clothes to dry so that we could just hang out together, he wrapped in a blanket and coloring a picture, me drying his shoes with a hair dryer, and talk about everything and nothing.

Thankful that we made it safely home.
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  1. BarbaraMay 28, 2014 at 8:57 AM

    It is good to be thankful for simple things (though finding a lost child is never simple -- you'll remember that forever!). Kindness of strangers. Yay!

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    Replies
    1. JennyMay 28, 2014 at 10:58 AM

      Neither one of us will forget! Therese crawled into bed with me this morning, snuggled close and squeezed me hard as she said "I was so scared when I couldn't find you." Then we both just hugged one another for quite a long time.

      Delete
    2. Barbara @ Praying for GraceMay 28, 2014 at 11:03 AM

      I hope she never forgets. My Joshua walked away from us once in a Target store. He went straight for the TVs! We were frantic -- looking in dressing rooms, just knowing there was someone there who would take him. We were just talking about it the other day (and now he is 22!).

      In reality there are many more good people than bad, but fear just grips you in those moments and I always think the worst! Maybe now that she had a good experience she will remember, but not be terrorized!

      Delete
  2. KrisMay 28, 2014 at 9:28 AM

    I was just talking with my 15-year old about how he used to wander away from me (regularly!) and scare the you-know-what out of me. He doesn't even remember those days, but the panicky feeling is still fresh in this Mom!

    ReplyDelete

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