Rise to the Occasion

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The other morning I was on my way home from the doctors office when my cell phone rang. It was my lawyer. We talked for a bit and I congratulated her on opening her new office. After a minute or two she informed me that my retainer ran out and I now owe her former office a small balance (small for Donald Trump maybe).

Me: "What? I had $2,700 in there at the end of July. I told you I would not be able to afford representation after my retainer expired." I shook it off and thought...Oh well, I guess I will have to put a pink suit, grab my chihuahua and play the roll Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. Lord have mercy (and hopefully the judge too).

About an hour later I receive a phone call from my attorney's former office.

Me: "Hello?"

Attorney's office: "Hi it's blah blah from Attorney so and so's office. You have a balance of $900 on your account. How would you like to pay?"

Me: (exasperated) "You can't be serious? I told my attorney that I would only retain her service until my retainer was up and then I could no longer afford legal representation. I have it in writing."

We went back and forth for a bit.

Me: "Honestly? You are trying to get water out of a dry well. I have spent $15k on my divorce and I'm still married and still don't have the green light to sell the house that I can no longer afford that is putting me in debt. I could have saved the $15k and have been in the same position." I could have bought my daughter a car which she needs, it could have helped my son pay for a semester of college, it would have paid five months of rent for our future move...The list goes on and on.

Without even thinking, I threw the portable phone in the woods. Liberating. Phew, that felt good. Then I cried, but only for a second. I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and marched in the house and called Verizon to shut down the home service - not necessary in this age of cell phones (or when yours has been flung from the deck and smashed against a tree). I then returned all of our cable boxes and shut down cable service - again, luxury vs. necessity. I cried for another second when my doctor rang and basically said my blood is still as thick as oatmeal and I will continued to be poked and prodded for eternity. Then I decided to buck up, put a smile on my face, rise to the occasion and grill burgers for the kids. Should I even mention that I dropped my burger on the deck? Of course I did...It was that type of day. The dog got it. Good for him.

The next morning I woke up and decided to believe that something good would happen that day. I had faith. About 9:15 PM my daughter knocked on my bedroom door.

Me: "Come in."

Daughter appears, big smile, holding a long plastic spoon with a green cup, girlfriend in tow. I know that cup. It's the magic cup. It's the one from the ice cream stand. It's the cup that contains heaven. Mint chocolate chip ice cream, covered in melted hot fudge and marshmallow.

I literally squeal in delight. I hug my daughter. I hug her friend. I tell them both how much I love them. They find my excitement amusing.

The girls sit on my bedroom floor and play with the dog whiled I indulge in a sugary spoonful of bliss. The bad things that happen during our days are easy to spot. It's the good things that we need to look for and cherish no matter how small they are. Life is not without problems but it's still good.

Oh, and if anyone should need a phone, there is one in the woods behind my house. 

Here's hoping your weekend is full of good things!! xoxo