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September 11, 2012 by: Shell

A Rough Morning and Some Perspective

Yesterday morning, I was convinced I was being punked. Or Punk’d. Or on that show Prank My Mom.

Because despite all our efforts towards being better organized this school year, nothing seemed to go right.

My oldest had a homework assignment we didn’t discover until breakfast time.

My middle son was sleeping late thanks to not being able to fall asleep the night before.

My youngest grabbed his butt and screamed that he need to poop NOW right as we should have been getting into the van.

The toilet then overflowed.

Middle refused to get out of the van in the drop-off circle.

When youngest and I stopped at the store to grab something for his lunch, the store was closed due to a “system failure.”

Other grocery store had items in weird places so it took us forever to find what we needed.

Then someone with an overflowing grocery cart appeared out of nowhere to jump in front of us in the only lane that was open while I was distracted by grabbing a Mountain Dew from the cooler.

To top it all off, when I got home from drop offs, I stepped in cat pee since apparently one of my boys closed the door to the room where the cat’s litter is kept.

And I said a few choice words that I’m glad my boys weren’t around to hear over my craptastic morning.

Really? I thought. All this on a Monday morning when Mondays are always busy with work? When this is just the start of another busy week, this is how it kicks off? What the heck? 

What a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad morning.

And then it hit me.

9 11 memories

Pre- 9/11/01 New York

My morning was not that bad.

My morning was full of minor inconveniences and events that I would spin into a funny blog post where we all commiserate about tough parenting days- at least, that’s what I’d do with it if this were any other day.

But, it was not a terrible morning.

All of my kids were safe.

There was no fear that we’d be attacked.

No thoughts that our world had radically changed.

No lives were lost.

Looking back at the events of eleven years ago today, it puts it all into perspective.

So I’ll push aside my small complaints and remember those whose lives were lost on September 11, 2001 and in the aftermath.

Those who lost love ones.

Those who have fought to defend our country and keep us safe, so that eleven years later, I’m not fearing for my family’s safety and my worries are all trivial.

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Comments

  1. Barbara says

    September 11, 2012 at 7:26 am

    It still blows my mind that it was 11 years ago. I still remember it like it was yesterday.

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:07 pm

      It doesn’t seem like that much time has passed!

  2. Kristin says

    September 11, 2012 at 7:33 am

    Perspective is an interesting thing, isn’t it. Sorry yesterday was a rough one. Thinking of you!

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:08 pm

      I tend to lose perspective in the rough moments. I’m trying to stay more level headed. It’s a struggle for me.

  3. Kmama says

    September 11, 2012 at 8:07 am

    You’re better than me.  I had a horrible day on Friday and all I could think of was “poor me.”

    Even this morning was rough and I was feeling sorry for myself.  Shame on me.

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:08 pm

      Most days when I have a bad day, I just think poor me. 😉 

  4. Victoria KP says

    September 11, 2012 at 8:12 am

    Beautifully said Shell.

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:09 pm

      Thanks, Victoria!

  5. Kim says

    September 11, 2012 at 8:41 am

    A most important perspective. My mom would always remind us that as bad as we thought we had it, there was always someone else far worse off. Thanks for the reminder to be grateful at all times. 

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:09 pm

      So very true. It’s hard to remember in the moment, but if I can make myself look at the bigger picture, it helps.

  6. angela says

    September 11, 2012 at 8:52 am

    You’re right, of course, though I’m still sorry you had a rough morning. Grocery store system failure??? How does that even happen 🙁 It’s almost impossible to believe it’s been eleven years.

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:11 pm

      I kept waiting for the automatic doors at the store to open, like it had to be a joke. LOL

  7. Tricia says

    September 11, 2012 at 9:15 am

    I’ve been grasping to that same perspective all morning. A rough morning here too but, when you think about it all in perspective, we’re all very much doing ok.

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:11 pm

      It’s all about keeping perspective- something that I often suck at. 😉 

  8. Kristin @ What She Said says

    September 11, 2012 at 9:20 am

    I had a terrible, no good, very bad night last night followed by another terrible, no good, very bad morning this morning. All parenting related, of course. I’m fairly convinced my 3YO hates me right now. 

    It didn’t even dawn on me that today was 9/11 until I got to work and sat at my desk sipping a cup of hot tea on this beautiful, autumnal Tuesday morning. And that’s when it hit me – the thought of another beautiful, autumnal Tuesday morning 11 years ago today. 

    Perspective, indeed. 

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:12 pm

      It was a gorgeous day back then, wasn’t it? Such a contrast to the events going on.

  9. Nicole DeZarn says

    September 11, 2012 at 9:54 am

    Amen, sister.  I am sorry about that morning; it was a crappy, crappy morning. Amazing how this day can bring perspective.  I’m so hopeful that in this election season where people seem to want to tear into each other, our country and its leaders, 9/11 might serve as a reminder that this country is sound, strong, and for ALL of us. 

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:12 pm

      I want to say Amen right back. All the political fighting drives me crazy.

  10. MommaKiss says

    September 11, 2012 at 10:02 am

    Shell, I’m SO with you. My struggle today, well it began last year being the 10 year anniversary, is explaining to my babies. They didn’t live through it, thank God. But to try to tell them that this happened, to not scare the shit out of them every time we fly (from the airport that the planes took off from)…it’s not easy – yet I want them to appreciate their freedom.

    love to you, to all today.

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:12 pm

      Trying to explain to them is so hard. I have not done a good job at it. 

  11. Natalie says

    September 11, 2012 at 10:13 am

    It sure does put life in perspective. Can’t believe it’s been 11 years.

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:13 pm

      Doesn’t feel that long at all.

  12. Lisa ~ AutismWonderland says

    September 11, 2012 at 11:06 am

    You know this morning I woke up and started writing something for today…and then I realized what day it was. And it all just came back to me. And it put things in perspective for me. I can’t believe it’s been 11 years. Thank you for this, I am sure as the years pass – many will forget or overlook the significance of today. We cannot let them.

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:13 pm

      There’s a balance to be struck- between remembering and yet moving on. 

  13. Melanie says

    September 11, 2012 at 11:10 am

    So true, Shell.  So true.  I looked at my 3 whining boys this morning and thought that same thing: this is nothing compared to 11 years ago.  I get to hear them whine with little worries because of the men and women who are fighting to keep our country safe and secure. 

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:14 pm

      Exactly. It’s a perspective I need to keep in mind when all of mine are whining at me, too.

  14. Mindi says

    September 11, 2012 at 11:49 am

    Thanks so, so much for this reminder.  It’s nice to remember that no matter how hard our day may seem, even when wiping the poop off the wall from the toddlers latest art creation, there is always someone who is going through a much harder time.  

    I can hardly believe 11 years has passed already.  That day stands out in my mind so, so well.  

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:14 pm

      Even THOSE kinds of days… are still good compared to what could be.

  15. Tracie says

    September 11, 2012 at 12:32 pm

    Perspective. It is a powerful thing. 

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:14 pm

      Something I need to try to keep in focus.

  16. Kim @ Coffee Pot Chronicles says

    September 11, 2012 at 12:40 pm

    So well said. It’s easy to focus on our own trivial matters, the inconveniences and troubles that happen during the day. A small argument with your spouse, a headache on a busy day, the jerk who cut you off, hitting every red light when you’re already late getting somewhere.

    Put into perspective like you have done helps us step out of our bubbles and realize it could be so much worse. The argument will end, the headache will go away, the jerk will be forgotten, and you’ll still arrive wherever you’re going even if you’re 5 minutes late. On 9-11 over 3,000 people weren’t so lucky.

    I’ll never forget that day and clearly neither will millions of others. Thank you for such a beautifully written post.

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:15 pm

      All those little things can add up and make us think things are so bad- I need to try to keep perspective on how things actually are.

  17. ilene says

    September 11, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    I had a crazy morning too and did not handle it well.  Thank you for the perspective….I totally needed  today! 

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:15 pm

      Doesn’t mean I won’t be back to whining soon- but I want to try to keep this perspective in mind.

  18. Carolyn says

    September 11, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    So well put. Yes, when you put things in perspective, they aren’t as bad as they seem (at the time).
    Hard to believe it was 11 years ago, seems like yesterday.

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:15 pm

      11 years. Totally crazy to me. 

  19. Diane says

    September 11, 2012 at 1:52 pm

    I went through something similar today. Just like 11 years ago, I was lamenting the traffic trying to get to work today. It was also a picture perfect day here in DC just like it was back then.  Sigh.

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:16 pm

      The small irritations. We quickly go back to worrying about those, don’t we? 

  20. Southern Angel says

    September 11, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    Yes there is nothing like the past to remind us of how bad it could be. How much we could be without. I am sorry you had such a rough morning though hun

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:16 pm

      Thanks, girl. 

  21. Deb says

    September 11, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    I still remember that day like it was yesterday. You really put it in perspective — I too was having a rough day getting everything done today. Now I remember that it’s all just a minor inconvenience.

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:17 pm

      Doesn’t mean we won’t all whine a little when things are going bad, but I think we can keep it to just a little if we keep it in perspective.

  22. Courtney Kirkland says

    September 11, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    Yes. Days like today always serve as reminders that even though our days may not be perfect, they most definitely could be worse.

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:17 pm

      So glad they aren’t worse. 

  23. Diana says

    September 11, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    Funny how perspective can change everything. I always try to remember that when I’m feeling down that we are actually blessed to have the seemingly minor problems we have in the grand scheme of things.

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:17 pm

      It’s easy to lose perspective, I think. We get wrapped up in our own problems. 

  24. Angie says

    September 11, 2012 at 3:40 pm

    Remembering 9/11 really does put a lot into perspective. Hope this am was a little smoother for ya though! That sounded like a really rough one!

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:18 pm

      Thank goodness this morning was much easier. 

  25. mare says

    September 11, 2012 at 3:41 pm

    I’ve had days like that too. I just want to go back to bed and start over the next day. And then…I remember those who are worse off. Like you, 9-11, hurricane Katrina, people w/ cancer, a quadrapalegic I know… there is always someone in worse shape, or gone. We get so caught up in our own little lives. Good reminder.

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:18 pm

      Exactly- so much worse out there than what we are going through.

  26. Lluvia says

    September 11, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    Someone somewhere is in a worse situation than us, huh?

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:18 pm

      So true!

  27. Paula @ Simply Sandwich says

    September 11, 2012 at 6:50 pm

    Shell, really sorry you had one of those awful mornings but I do thank you for helping me to re-focus my attitude today! 🙂

    • Shell says

      September 11, 2012 at 7:19 pm

      I’m having to re-focus my own attitude this evening. 😉 How quickly I can lose my perspective. 

  28. Mrs. Tuna says

    September 11, 2012 at 8:59 pm

    I still weep anytime I see footage or even more when they interview family members. I can’t believe it’s been 11 years, it feels like yesterday. 

  29. Leigh Powell Hines @Hinessightblog says

    September 11, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    Such a great post, Shell.  Really great tribute. 

  30. AnnMarie says

    September 11, 2012 at 10:46 pm

    I spent all day thinking about this and how no matter how yucky or stressful things got, they still weren’t as bad as what some are dealing with or remembering. Great post!

  31. Jen says

    September 12, 2012 at 9:44 am

    What a beautiful post and way to remember 9/11… you are so right, our lives could always be worse. 

  32. Maggie S. says

    September 12, 2012 at 9:54 am

    So well said, Shell. On any day, it pays to raise our eyes. But on 9-11, it’s so universally important.

  33. stephanie @ babe's rockin' mami says

    September 15, 2012 at 3:44 pm

    Great post!  But, it still sounds like it was a pretty craptastic morning! ;]

Welcome to Things I Can't Say: Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom. I'm Shell. Boy mom, beach girl, bookworm, ball games, baker, brand ambassador, Thinking yoga, food, and travel should start with "b," too. Finding the easiest way to do some things while overthinking so many others. Read More…

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