We were sitting at the dinner table when my husband asked me, “You read to Anna’s class today, right?”
I almost choked on my meatball. I had completely forgotten to show up and read to the second graders. And I had let Anna down.
Anna hadn’t mentioned it when I got home from work. She hadn’t even acted like anything was bothering her. She just looked up from her pasta and replied, “Well, my teacher wondered if you were coming. I told her I didn’t know.”
Frankly, I didn’t have a good excuse. I wasn’t out of town. I didn’t have a client emergency. It was even on my calendar. Worse yet, Doug had reminded me about it the day before. I can still hear him, “Don’t forget to show up Suz!”
I had simply forgot.
Before I could apologize, my 10-year-old, Nick, interrupted. “Mom, not to be critical, but you never volunteer in my class anymore. It seems like you’re always going to Anna’s class.”
“Nick, remember, I didn’t even show up to Anna’s class today! Look guys, I’m doing my best. You know how busy I am, and I’m really sorry.”
Anna didn’t yell at me. She didn’t whine or complain. She simply finished her dinner and said, “It’s ok Mom.”
Later that night, I was putting Anna to bed, waiting for her to finish her usual prayers for world poverty, injustice, and the forgiveness of sins for all people. Right after she prayed for Haiti and Japan, she slipped in a new line that caught me off guard.
“And dear God, please help my teacher to give Mom a second chance.”
I couldn’t say “Amen” fast enough.
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7 comments:
Hang in there-that's a toughie and I sure hope your daughter's teacher has forgiven you. LOL.
I feel you on this one. I missed a conference not long ago and also hoped the teach would give me a second chance. She most certainly did (love grace) and she gave me a good book recommendation, too. Woot!
~ Wendy
Maybe you could have a special outing with each of them (individually) to make up for missing the reading time and not having time to volunteer in the other class. We've all been there, at some point. :)
oh boy. Are you in big trouble. our kids notice our mistakes, but they notice our sincere response and repentance even more
Anna is one sweet kid. Don't you love how kids forgive? Kinda reminds me of God!
That is really, really funny!
Ugh, tug at the heart-strings...hang in there!! Its tough being a working mother with all of life's demands. You can definitely be proud of your daughter's response!! Congrats on that :)
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