SAL-VA-TION: by grace

E-LEV-EN: children from 1984 to 2006

HOME-SCHOOL-ING: since 1990

DOWN-SYN-DROME: susie and gabe

GRAND-CHILD-REN: since 2010

FAITH-FUL-NESS: my steadfast rock, my biggest supporter, my leader, my friend, my love, my husband

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Temper tantrum

I was tired. I'd been away from home for two days. Gabe wouldn't nap away from home. I'd spent six hours walking around the Mall of America amusement parking carrying Gabe. I'd spent more than an hour walking around Cabela's holding Gabe. He weighs twenty-six pounds and it's carry or chase.

I was tired. I'd been stuck in traffic and had been late for Aunt Susie's annual meeting. I'd been in a vehicle for more than eight hours with our youngest half and still had a few more to go. I had given three warnings in 30 minutes to "stop screaming" (even when it's play it's piercing). I was helping Aunt Susie out of the van for a bathroom break and Gabe was trying to escape.

I was tired. I was calling for help. Gabe was diving out the door to me. I was calling again. No one was answering. Susie was waiting. I was repeating myself. I was getting frustrated.

So what did I do? How did I graciously, effectively, and with seasoned maturity handle the situation? I lost it. I lost my cool.... completely. No patience, no tenderness, no longsuffering. I yelled, "Fine, I'll just walk the rest of the way home!" And, right there in the parking lot, for good measure I stamped my foot. Everyone shaped up immediately. I think I just shocked them into it.

Tired or not, I still cannot believe I stamped my foot.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can, I remember the days well.

Keelie said...

Oh you make me laugh! Sounds like something I would do...but my husband says I have a temper to go along with my red hair... he also says I'm very demonstrative when I get mad, so stamping my foot would be no shock, and therefore, probably would have very little affect.:/

Mrs. Nichole J. said...

LOL!

Hey girl!
Just a stalker here. :-) Coming out to say Hi! :-D

You just crack me up.... lol Keep it real!

Nichole

Keithslady said...

Hi Nichole! Good to hear from you. Writing about this is helping me keep a check on my patience level. I headed out the door this AM at 9 with S,B,O,L,G, and Susie. We attended a school concert and then did a huge shopping stop. We weren't home until 12:30 and I, by the grace of God, remained very calm. I don't pray about it and put myself in God's hands if I don't think about it and recognize it!

Anonymous said...

Stamp your foot? That's tame, baby.

Kara Jo said...

Thanks for sharing this post with the rest of us imperfect moms. Glad to hear it, actually.