CoffeeTime: “ALL PANCAKES ARE NOT MADE ALIKE”

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You have probably been told a few times in your life to not let anyone take away your own peace. That you responsible if you are filled to the brim with good will toward all mankind - or had your fill of all mankind. “Your happiness is in your hands, and it depends upon your own reactions to events.”

Hmmm. Maybe that saying is true for the deliverers of that message, I’m in no position to judge. But there are always two sides to every pancake.

Here is one side of a typical young mommy’s pancake.

Her alarm clock rang at six, telling her that morning had arrived whether she’s ready or not. Immediately, dread and exhaustion returned. But then she remembered the promise she made to her pastor just yesterday in their counseling session, when she had confessed her depression and anxiety. She had agreed with him that she needed to start approaching her days with a positive outlook on life.

 So the self-talk began. “Today’s is gonna be a great day. I am declaring here and now that I refuse to let anyone or anything change my mind and bring me down. God and I are in charge of my day, and this is gonna be a good day, dadgum it!”

Stretching and yawning, she headed to the kitchen for a quick breakfast and even downed a few vitamins. (“After all, you are determined to make it a great day, aren’t you, girl?”) She then headed back to the bedroom to make the bed (great day, remember?) and threw on her clothes. Pasted on a hopeful, determined smile, ready to meet the day head-on.

Then it started.

Her three-year-old woke, bellowing that he is starving and wants his breakfast – now. Her six-month-old baby girl is awakened from her every-two-hour-sleep-schedule by her older brother’s belligerent demands for food and attention, and begins her own hysterical crying, with decibel increases every seven seconds that mommy doesn’t appear crib-side.

With a whining toddler hanging on to her leg, she began setting out a toddler-friendly breakfast in one arm while holding her breastfeeding baby girl with the other.

Her cell phone rang, and she answered it with a quick “Speak to me!” Only to hear Aunt Linda’s Southern drawl that she “is callin’ this morning to check on my favorite niece and nephew. And tell them Auntie will be droppin’ by this mornin’ just to play - and by the way, to ask you a teeny-weensie favor.”

She breathed deeply, and with an inward sigh she graciously lied and said that she would be looking forward to the visit. She laid down her phone, only to have it shrill again. This time it was the washing machine technician letting her know that he wouldn’t be able to keep his repair appointment today – “gonna have to be next Monday, sorry about that.”

Her resolve to see the world through rose-colored glasses began slipping sideways into a distinct shade of dingy gray. It’s only 7:30.

Go ahead. Tell that overwhelmed mommy that “You should never let people upset your peace.”