Love Makes the World go Round

So yesterday morning Talin woke up with a real nasty cough, he was barking like a seal kind of cough. Lovely croup. So Tom kindly volunteered to stay at home with him. It was difficult for me to smile and agree, so very difficult. I didn’t want to teach a class, I didn’t want to figure out what in the nine hells would fit me and get me through three hours of church, and I didn’t want to torture my back with the three hours of sitting. But I did it, with a smile.

Collin and I went off to church with one another, as we pulled into the parking lot he informed me, here are his words, “Mom, you can drop me off at the door there and then say have a great day and pick me up later, I’ll be fine.” How ‘bout no? Bitter disappointment at not going to church all by himself was quickly washed away when he was greeted heartily by the elders and other church friends. He really is quite the popular boy in public situations.

Still feeling a little irritated about being there I was approached by Sis. Hoopes, she’s part of a missionary couple with her husband, they’re both from Gilbert, AZ serving here in Des Moines. She seems sad, talks about home a lot, and misses her grandkids. She has taken a special liking or I should say loving/adoring attitude towards Collin. I’ll catch her stopping him in the hall to adjust his tie, straighten his jacket, or just give his chubby cheeks a sweet caress. It’s beyond adorable. Anyway, she hands me a bag of obvious Valentine’s goodies for the boys and tells me to save it for after church. My heart was instantly warmed, why is she always thinking of my children and my family? I feel so guilty when people show extra kindness towards us. But it put a smile on my face for the rest of the block.

Skip ahead to sharing time, I was finally able to talk to the primary president and asked to be released when the baby is born. I’ve been so nervous about this; I’ve totally built it up and put it off for weeks. I don’t know why I’ve made it such a big deal to ask to be released, it’s not like we don’t have a legitimate reason coming up. I mean I might not be to church for quite awhile when this baby comes, still it was hard. But she surprised me, she being the president, and was so warm and nice about it all, and even told me she’d been thinking about this for awhile anyway. Wow, why am I so wrong in my judgments about people, you’d think I’d learn.

So with my three hours done we headed home, not before being handed Little Debbie Cakes from the Greenwoods, I call them my adopted parents in the ward, they really look out for us. Valentine treats in one hand and a thrilled little boy holding my other hand we made it through.

Fast forward to Sunday evening, the boys were nicely tucked into bed when someone knocked on the door. The Greenwoods had come by and brought us cupcakes for Valentine’s Day. How sweet is that? But, Tom answered the door, its negative degrees outside, and he didn’t invite them in! I feel so guilty about that. I tried to call them and thank them that evening, but no one answered, I guess I’ll call tonight. Why do I feel so much guilt when someone does something nice? I feel this need to constantly repay and make the playing field even, but I guess that’s just one more lesson I need to learn, life isn’t even, and people don’t expect to be repaid for kindness.

And on a completely different note, we went to WalMart on Saturday, and a lady stopped me to ask about my baby. I got the question on when I’m due and what I’m having, and the expected, you poor thing, another boy, keep trying for that girl! Then Talin, out of the blue, as we’re walking away, yells after the lady, “yeah, our baby has a hole in his heart!” Okay, let’s not shout that out to total strangers! Funny kid. I wonder what he’s telling his classmates at school?