Don't Cry Over Spilled Coffee

 

My mother told me as a child that the goofiest things happen to me. And, of course, she is correct. This last week, I had a conference with a parent, so I made sure to wear something nice. Keep in mind that I work with special needs preschool children, so I usually wear scrubs or something that can get dirty. Because of this, I'm particularly cautious when wearing my good clothes. I don't want to show up in front a parent with mystery stains all over me. Last week, I served my therapy with quick reflexes to keep strange pen marks and nose wipes off my clothes. At the completion, I drove back toward my office to prepare to meet my parents. This is where it gets good. While pulling out of the parking lot, I made my first mistake. I took a sip out of my coffee cup. I had borrowed my son's cup, so I wasn't aware that it flowed quicker than my regular cup. As I took a big sip, coffee poured out, past my mouth, and all across the front of my cream-colored shirt! It was noticeable. As I passed the Dollar General, I quickly pulled into the parking lot. I searched frantically for a stain pen but couldn't find one. It left one option. I grabbed the huge spray bottle of stain lifter, paid, and jumped back into my car. I began to spray my shirt, while still wearing it, only to realize this thick slime covered the stain and soaked through to my skin underneath. I found one small napkin with an old wad of gum and scrubbed. This spread old napkin on the shirt. As I glanced in my backseat, I found a partially used roll of paper towels squeezed into the back pocket of the front seat. I grabbed it and began to shove paper towels under my shirt to dry the size on my skin. After I finished, I looked over to the car that I thought was empty next to me. It wasn't empty. The old man was staring with an open mouth, watching me spray a bottle of something and stuff my shirt with paper towels. It gets better!  I got out of that parking lot quick. I drove to a preschool to deliver a notice. I made sure to remove the paper towels. I entered, spoke to a bunch of people, and exited back to my car where I realized I had a wad of paper towels still sticking out of my shirt! Needless to say, I held my meeting with a slimey coffee stain and a humbled heart. Here's the funny thing. The parent never noticed. She was going through her own problems. We spend so much time trying to look perfect, act perfect, and be like everyone else, all because we worry what people think of us. In actuality, they are probably feeling the same way. If we can get our eyes off our stains and focus on just being kind, wouldn't our world be so much better?

Have a great week high-heeled warriors!

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