Love Mercy Part 2

12 Feb Love Mercy Part 2

 

 

“You may be right.  I may be crazy.  But it just may be a lunatic you’re looking for.” -Billy Joel”

 

Receiving Mercy is easy; giving it…not so much.  In 2015, I wrote this:  Love Mercy

I’m pretty sure I need to make that my resolution every day and month and year…it’s not easy.

I clearly remember driving through the Wendy’s drive-through when the kids were little. They were advertising Clifford kid’s meals, so I spent the extra 2 bucks and got one for Allison. She LOVED Clifford. You know, the big red dog. Who doesn’t love him? I got the food, got on my way, and opened the bag. All the food was there, but the Clifford toy was not.  For some reason, I was mad. Like, really, really mad.  Irrationally mad.  Irate.  You know that mad where you feel your face burning and you want to punch somebody?

Read slowly for effect: Over a Clifford toy.

I called up that Wendy’s and gave them a piece of my mind. Looking back, I have no idea what I was thinking.  Maybe it was me who LOVED Clifford. Allison didn’t seem to mind. She was pretty happy with the Hello Kitty watch.  I felt justified at the time, but I still can’t understand what was going on in my head! Maybe it was the 3 kids under 3…maybe it was a bad day…I’m not quite sure. I wonder if those Wendy’s workers still refer to the “insane Clifford lady.” I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of, and still do, all the time.  Please tell me you can relate.

I worked in a middle/high school front office. Kids forget things, parents forget things, kids get in trouble, parents have meetings with teachers or the headmaster (yes, we attend Hogwarts). Since my kids were there and I know their friends and their friends’ parents, I sometimes felt like they thought I was judging them. Believe me, I forget stuff all the time. I’m right there with them. My kids constantly forget things. One day Kate showed up to school with no shoes.  Don’t even ask…I have no idea.  My kids fail sometimes. They get detention. Gasp! I am far from perfect in the parenting department. My girls, cute as they are, are not perfect. Shocking, I know.

So, back to an earlier blog post, Love Mercy.  I want to love mercy and people and second chances. I am hopeful that the Wendy’s crew has moved on from my rant over a cheap toy. I pray that the incident was forgotten. I hope that my worst days are not how people define me. Hey, if all you saw was me on my crazy days, you’d miss out on the charming, fun, intelligent me (wink, wink).  

On the flip side, I need to give people a break.  I didn’t instantly love some of my closest friends. I’m glad I gave them a second chance.  I really would have missed out on some great relationships.  Do unto others as I would have them do unto me. We’re all in this life thing together. It’s tough. Some days are really, really difficult.

Love people. Love mercy. Give grace.

I love the quote, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” So true.

Let’s do it.

Note:  This picture has nothing to do with this blog post.  Ha!  I just think these girls are beautiful.  And they’re way less crazy than me!