Tuesday was a hard day. It started in the typical manner. My five year old came to my bed wanting to cuddle and tell me all that was on his mind. But I had gone to bed but three hours earlier as I was up drawing into the morning. I could barely open my eyes as he anxiously jumped up and down on the bed trying to get me to arise. With a full nights sleep it would have made me laugh but as it was, I rolled out of bed sluggishly. On and on the morning dragged. Big Mac couldn't find his homework, his shoes, or the teddy bear that he was in charge of for his class. Middle Mac took off all the cushions to the couch and strewn them about sing "YES, NO, YES, NO, " at the top of his little lungs and little fry poured out the expensive pure maple syrup all over the freshly mopped floor. A typical day really. But for some reason that day it seemed to send me over the edge. Like a kettle I began to boil, the pressure mounting and my head pounding. Big Mac poured himself a glass of milk, but the gallon was full and it ended up joining the syrup on the floor. I cried out his name and picked up the trash as I saw Little Fry combing through it. Trying not to loose it I stomped out to the patio to put it in the large garbage can. There I saw that Big Mac had written a message to me in chalk. Mom, I love you. My heart melted and my hard and frustrated feelings were replaced with feelings of guilt.
I was reminded of my favorite fable. The sun and the wind were arguing one day about who was in fact the strongest. The wind laughed and said, "Is there a question, obviously it is me, I can tear up entire cities with my power." The sun nodded and agreed that the wind was indeed powerful. "But let us see who is truly the most powerful," he challenged. And they decided that whoever could tear the coat from an old mans back would be the winner. The wind began to howl and blow with all it's might. It blew and blew and the trees bent to it's power. But no matter how hard it blew the man just clung to his coat even more. Then it was the sun's turn. She shone as brightly and warmly as she could. She shone with all her might and the earth warmed up and the flowers and trees rose to greet her. The old man wiped the sweat from his brow and shed his hot coat.
I read this so long ago with my boys I can't even find it now. I have to improvise on the details. But it is my favorite fable, not because I live by it, but because I need to be reminded of it constantly. When I am warm and loving with my words my children are far more likely to obey me and things run so much smoother. But when I hiss and howl like a kettle fully boiling, my kids feel my wrath and the craziness escalates. I wish I could learn this once and for all!
