JenniferDyer.net

The other day a long-time friend came to town to visit my sister. While here, she made time to swing by our house. I was excited to show her our new home, chaotic though it is. As she has a child with special needs, I wasn’t too concerned with the marker scribbles and carpet piddle spots I had just steam cleaned because I knew she understood…
When she and my sister arrived, bringing with them a plethora of children high on sugar from a birthday party, the house turned into a teeming den of noise and laughter. We even had an extra Labrador acting as life of the party.
When we headed upstairs, one member of my family was not pleased–my aging, somewhat feeble Labrador Missy. She had parked herself at the bottom of the stairs and couldn’t get up. Barking until hubby helped her stand, Missy limped up the stairs, I thought, to join in the fun. But no. Fun was not her plan. Like a sour old curmudgeon, she dragged herself up the stairs for one purpose only–retribution.
Finding the three adults in one of the bedrooms, Missy marched around us while … piddling, to put it delicately. In fact, she piddled in a figure eight around us, over my friend’s shoe and past the gang of kids playing on the Wii before limping back down the stairs. Nice.
I cringed. I wanted to hide. I wanted to smack that dog. Instead I grabbed two arms full of towels and, starting with my friend’s shoe, soaked up the mess while apologizing and offering to purchase new shoes.
My friend calmly inspected her show and shrugged. “I have boys. Trust me, I’ve had worse.”
My sister exhaled. “You never get a break, do you?”
Sighing, I shook my head. “Well, I do have good news for you.”
My friend looked intrigued. “Yes?”
“You are now a member of the PSC,” I said.
“The what?” she asked.
“The Peed Shoe Club. Missy has been inducting members for over a year now. I’m thinking of having an official shirt made.”
Ha. Ha.
PSC aside, My sister and friend gave me a gift. Their reaction turned what could have been a really bad moment into a humorous memory. Yes, I spent an hour steam cleaning and grumbling about the dog, but I smiled every time I thought about the shrug and “I’ve had worse” comment. Laughter is a precious gift and a wonderful healing balm for so many types of situations.
May your days be full of laughter, my friends, and don’t forget to pass the gift on to others.