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- But What Would My Sour Be?
But What Would My Sour Be?
- By Tara Martell
- Published 06/28/2007
- Helpful Hints on How to Think
The day moved on with its other normal events: cleaning, laundry, dinner, etc, to the golden hour when dad gets home…ahhh relief. We sat down to dinner, where before I can ever get my first bite in, I am accosted with “Mom, what was your sweet today?” Now, I started this--it was my idea, and truly it is a ritual I enjoy. We go around the table sharing something good that happened to us that day. But, my daughter takes ritual, habit and routine to a whole new level (a challenge for her scatter-brained mother). The questions must be asked in the exact right way, the order of people being asked (mom, dad, baby, then her last…always last) must never be deviated from. Even company must participate. Conversation may not continue, move on, or become sidetracked without first finishing this tradition.
Truth be told, what was your sweet today, is sometimes a hard question for me to answer. Can’t we just skip me today? Not a chance. First of all., I am barely certain everyone has what they need, the food has not been properly cut into un-chokable sizes, the milk not been poured, when my brain needs to stop its state of perpetual motion to remember the events of the day. Second, I am ashamed to admit that while being a mom of two young children I often forget to recognize what was sweet in my day. I’m sure there have been a hundred things, but I often can’t even think of one. What an exercise in gratitude this small moment in the day has been for me.
On the other hand, answering the next question is often too easy. The next thing asked is what was your sour, which my daughter always must ask as “What was something sad that made you sad?” Her answer is always, “Nothing made me sad,” despite perhaps the screaming fit she had at the park or the eight times she attended time out that day. I can usually think of many things and have to narrow it down to the choicest moment of the day, something really good to complain about, and let my husband know what a rough day I’ve had. Today I shared the story of the baby pitching items out of the cart. Everyone, including myself was laughing and enjoying the craziness of my life.
It made me stop and think that if I didn’t have these moments, what would I share for my sour? I am working on remembering during the stressful moments to take a deep breath, smile and think to myself, "Well, this will make a great sour for tonight." I, of course, am doing a much better job at the sweets. I am taking moments to stop and find the joy in my daily activities. I hear these years pass too quickly, I don’t know if I believe that, but I’ll try to trust those older, wiser women and enjoy both my sweets and sours.
Truth be told, what was your sweet today, is sometimes a hard question for me to answer. Can’t we just skip me today? Not a chance. First of all., I am barely certain everyone has what they need, the food has not been properly cut into un-chokable sizes, the milk not been poured, when my brain needs to stop its state of perpetual motion to remember the events of the day. Second, I am ashamed to admit that while being a mom of two young children I often forget to recognize what was sweet in my day. I’m sure there have been a hundred things, but I often can’t even think of one. What an exercise in gratitude this small moment in the day has been for me.
On the other hand, answering the next question is often too easy. The next thing asked is what was your sour, which my daughter always must ask as “What was something sad that made you sad?” Her answer is always, “Nothing made me sad,” despite perhaps the screaming fit she had at the park or the eight times she attended time out that day. I can usually think of many things and have to narrow it down to the choicest moment of the day, something really good to complain about, and let my husband know what a rough day I’ve had. Today I shared the story of the baby pitching items out of the cart. Everyone, including myself was laughing and enjoying the craziness of my life.
It made me stop and think that if I didn’t have these moments, what would I share for my sour? I am working on remembering during the stressful moments to take a deep breath, smile and think to myself, "Well, this will make a great sour for tonight." I, of course, am doing a much better job at the sweets. I am taking moments to stop and find the joy in my daily activities. I hear these years pass too quickly, I don’t know if I believe that, but I’ll try to trust those older, wiser women and enjoy both my sweets and sours.
Comments
Comment #1 (Posted by Laura Doud )
Thank you for sharing your family tradition and your humorous episodes at the grocery store! I could visualize and relate to the whole experience!
Comment #2 (Posted by Debbie Sanders)
I can totally relate. Thanks for helping me realize that although we sometimes don't remember the sweet in our lives they are there (along with the sour). Cute family tradition.