Page 61 - Dash Inspirations by Linda Ellis

Tomorrow’s Eve
My second grader taught me a valuable lesson many years ago shortly after the holidays. I had finished work one day and went to ASP (which stands for After School Program, though the children often refer to it as “After School Prison”) to pick her up and go home.
My daughter emerged through the library doors with a smile upon her face, as usual. She gave me a high-five, a hug, and her twenty-pound book bag to lug to the car. We buckled up our seat belts, and while I began to listen to hear all the important events of elementary school in the form of “Marley said that . . . ” and “Bradley did this,” I began to back out of the parking space. Out of the blue, I heard my daughter say, “Hey mom, let’s not go home.” To which I replied, “Silly girl, we have to go home. Mommy has to finish last night’s dishes, make dinner, and finish the laundry—and I’m sure you have lots of homework to do.” She thought about the assignments her teacher had given them that afternoon and repeated with renewed conviction, “Let’s not go home . . . let’s go to the park and then go for ice cream . . . let’s celebrate!!” I said, “Sweetheart, the holidays are over. There is no reason to celebrate now. We have to wait until next year to celebrate again.” The honesty and innocence of her reply will forever remain in my mind, “Mommy, we don’t need a reason to celebrate. Let’s be happy we’re together today. Let’s make it our own holiday, and we’ll call it, ‘Tomorrow’s Eve!’”
I was instantly thoroughly impressed with her thought process. We were stopped at the intersection by then, ready to make our routine left turn to drive home. The park, of course, would mean a right turn. (Possibly indicating some subliminal message that turning right was the right thing to do?) My mind searched for an answer to give her, reasons why we could not possibly celebrate “Tomorrow’s Eve” today. I knew every reason I thought of, however, would be skillfully debated and overruled. It was like dealing with an overzealous defense attorney. I looked into her big blue eyes. I thought of the dishes, the laundry, and the “busyness” that awaited me at home. The moment didn’t require words. I switched the turn signal from left to right, and we went on to celebrate our first “Tomorrow’s Eve.” We played tag. I went down the slide in my business suit and heels. Then we ate ice cream. That day I left her much more than what could be packed into boxes someday.
Dash Inspirations by Linda Ellis www.LindaEllis.life
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