You "Cat" Always Get What You Want

How could she have known what the day would bring? If she could have forseen how the events of the day would ultimately unfold, would she have chosen to stay in bed all day? Maybe...or maybe not.

Caroline is my almost-nine-year-old. She is a joy and full of life. However, one day just a couple of weeks back she got some lessons I think she'll never forget.

It started out as any other day. Summer break was upon us and it just so happened I was due to make my bi-weekly trip to Super Wal-Mart. I got up at 6:30am, ran a brush over both my hair and teeth and was out the door by 7:00am. While perusing the aisles of my local super-store I saw a display of coloring books. Wouldn't it be nice, I thought, to get the kids a coloring book. They'll think I'm the best mom ever. Boy, was I wrong.

I chose a Disney princess coloring book for Molly and for Caroline I chose a very lovely Tinkerbell one. When I presented the gifts, I quickly received the usual la-la-la's from Molly (who has the neatest gift of showing such avid and genuine appreciation for things given to her - it's fun to watch), but over in Caroline's corner I could see the storm a-brewin'.

"What's wrong, Caroline?" I dared to ask.

"You know I wanted that Princess coloring book! When we were in the store last week I showed it to you and told you how much I wanted it! I don't like Tinkerbell and I don't want that coloring book! You gave the coloring book I wanted to Molly and you love her more!" She went on.

I honestly did not remember Caroline pointing that coloring book out to me, or her admiring it. I turned to Molly to ask if she'd consider switching and there she was writing her name on the cover of the Princess one - in Sharpie of course. She wasn't letting loose.

I begged Caroline's forgiveness and Molly even said she would share (to a point). Caroline was completely dejected and it wasn't even noon.

After lunch, Molly and Mason were invited to a friend's house, and Caroline felt left out again. As I drove away with the other two, Caroline looked at her dad and said, "This is a terrible day! I hate my life! I have nothing to live for!" (is she a dramatic child? Ummm, that would be an emphatic yes.)

Michael, in typical Michael fashion, stepped in to save the day.

"Caroline, would you like to go for a walk with me?" he asked.

"Yes, Daddy," she replied.

As they walked, Michael reminded her of her importance to our family, of how God has a wonderful plan for her and how he loves her so much. We may not always get what we want when we want it, but God is committed to finishing what he's started in us and how she, Caroline, is a precious beloved daughter, not just to us, but to her Heavenly Father as well.

About halfway around our block, something happened. A tiny, nasty ball of wet fur came creeping straight up to Caroline. A kitten, not 8 weeks old, had found it's way into the arms of my daughter.

Michael and Caroline took the kitten home, gave him a bath (!), fed him, and fell for him within 30 minutes. When I got home, she introduced me to her new friend...Tiger.

I took Caroline to the store right away and we bought kitten chow, kitty litter, a bed and a litter box. While we were driving home Caroline was talking non-stop about her new friend and all that she wanted to do with him. She talked until she was blue in the face with excitement. After a few minutes she got really quiet and said, "Mom, I'm sorry I got so mad at you this morning about the coloring book. I know now that wasn't really important. And if I had gone with Molly and Mason, then I wouldn't have met Tiger. So, I guess this was a good day after all."

I guess it's all about perspective.

Bless ya!