RED LETTER DAY!

Yesterday was just one of those days--you know the day....a RED LETTER DAY! All three of my adult children went to work! Now this may seem like an ordinary day for some--but it was a day to commemorate at this household!

Our daughter, Katie, began her first day as an RN. After years of college and a lifetime of dreaming, she is now working in the Level 3, Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit at Children's Hospital, Minneapolis! Her husband, my son-in-law, Eric, after a summer sabatical to finish those last required college credits, returned to his full-time job as an accountant. After a 5 year college program, which, I must add, was paid for by hard labor--he worked his way through college; Eric is now working full-time and studying for the dreaded CPA exam! Our son, Curt, has begun a part-time job (30 hours a week) at a nearby UPS Store.....and loves it! So, all in all, it was a very good day!

And to top it off, I discovered my husband is a mere mortal! After years of knowing EXACTLY where his keys are, where his wallet is, and where his glasses are (can you even imagine!), my husband left the cabin yesterday to have breakfast before heading back into town to work......without his wallet, cash or watch! After ordering breakfast, reading the newspaper, enjoying his favorite meal of the day, he discovered when he reached for his cash--that he had left home without it! Imagine my delight when he phoned to ask if I would do him just one little favor!!!!! Could I just hop in my car (yes, he knew it was before sunrise and I hadn't even showered--still he used the word.....HOP!!!!) and deliver to him his wallet, cash and watch--so he could pay for breakfast and drive legally the two hours to work!

Now--after 32 years of marriage and 32 years of mini-lectures everytime I misplaced or forgot something...you can only imagine the conversation I was rehearsing in my mind when I was driving to the restaurant. Of course, I grabbed my digital camera so I could take pictures of him "washing the dishes" for his meal. But to my dismay, this is his favorite breakfast spot--they like him. The staff welcomed me with warm smiles and asked if I wanted to join my husband for a cup of coffee! They all had been nearby him, waiting for my arrival!

As I sat down in the booth to join him, the waitress poured a freshly brewed cup of coffee and asked if I wanted my "usual." I smiled, anxiously wanting her to just leave so I could gently, but firmly reprimand him! After all, I had planned with great joy to share one of HIS life lessons with HIM! However, his gratitude and sheepish smile destroyed any revenge I had planned! I discovered that a life lesson had been learned without even a word! He learned how sweet a favor really is--without a lecture! And I learned.....that it is nice to be married to a mere mortal!

Yes, yesterday was a red-letter-day!