I knew March was going to be crazy.
It was.
Right now I’m sitting here determined that I will not eat out in another restaurant till next month.
I also have a smile on my face.
Why? Because my son said something (as kids do) that forced a change of attitude; a change of attitude that I desperately needed.
March was fulled with visitors from abroad as well as local. I was the tour guide most of the time. We had fun! We ate out. A LOT. We had late nights. Plenty.
Just as the visitors left, we skidded into Cape Town for our youngest child’s graduation ceremony. We ate out again. A LOT.
I have to be honest here.
I was complaining.
I don’t like to admit it, but I was.
I told my son about how much we had eaten out and how hectic it was, and how much we had done, and how full I was, and how tired I was….. hana hana hana….
His response : “Mom, it’s really hard to feel sorry for you!“
After I had a good laugh I felt much better.
I realized that I’d slipped into complaining mode. There was a far better way of looking at this.
I remembered when I was young and had just started working. Friends and I would save our money and once a month we’d go out to the local steak house . How I looked forward to the happy atmosphere of the restaurant,to the delicious aroma of sizzling steaks and to a plate full of my favourite food. On top of it all, I didn’t have to cook it nor wash up afterwards.
I treasured those nights out at the local steakhouse.
Now, many, many years later I am able to eat at restaurants as often as I like.
My son’s comment opened my eyes. I have so much to be grateful for – and I have since spend time in reflection and giving thanks for fun, friends, food and for a full life.
And a full stomach!
And wonderful children who continue to teach me lessons every day…
Not really a complaint, Kirsten, but some lessons learned over the years. I know what it’s like to be in a faraway country and unemployed, and I know what it’s like to have to ask your kids to help out because the fortune in Rand you brought to the Yewkay doesn’t amount to much here. 🙁
I now have a job, together with some other moolah coming in, and the prospect of moving to a bigger and cheaper place, closer to the job, so really no complaints, unless it’s the corns that kill my feet when I work too much!!! 🙂