Friday, September 5, 2008

A Good Morning

Having intentions of going to bed early and finally morphing back into the school schedule, I downed an otc sleep-aid and hit the sack by 9:30 last night. Quite a change from my summertime hours. Things were going exactly as planned. I figured I could see Gabby off to school at 7:30 (praise God she has a ride to school this year!!), then crawl back into bed until 9:00, when I'd make breakfast for Greta and start our school day here at home.


Perfect.

Until 2:45am.

Whenever the phone rings in the middle of the night at our house, it always means some sort of emergency in the church. The sound goes right through me like a lightening bolt. We've had everything from the news of a sudden death to a report that someone lit the church on fire. Unfortunately, our bedroom phone was left out in the dining room that night. I darted out of bed at record speed, charging down the hall to answer the phone, sure that someone in distress was on the other end.

"Uh, is Kim there?" came the raspy, surfer-like voice of someone obviously driving down the highway.

I've made plenty of wrong number calls in my life, so I always respond with kindness in these situations. Even at 2:45am. I apologized and explained that he had the wrong number. Then, concerned that he might make the same mistake twice, I carried the phone back with me to bed, waiting about five minutes for the second mistake phone call. It never came.

Relaxing into my pillow, I drifted back to sleep, still thinking my plan should be intact.

3:05am: the phone rings again. I had been asleep for 10 minutes. Not good. Mercy gift not high. I check the caller ID, confirm that it's Kim's friend, then decide to let the voice mail take it. Problem solved. Back to sleep.

3:15am. What? Seriously? Again?

My lack of mercy gifting is now in full force. I answer not with a pleasant "Hello," but with, "Are you looking for Kim? This is the wrong number. There is no Kim here. Please do not call this number again."

Assuring Ben that everything was ok and that it was just a wrong number, I tried to return to the land of nod.

Not successful.

I head out to get a glass of water, pick up a book and retreat to the couch, reading until 4:15am.

Needless to say, my perfect morning didn't happen. Gabby left the house without me even aware that she'd gotten out of bed. Ben left shortly after that, or so I assume.

The next thing I know, I hear a sweet voice from the kitchen call out, "Order up!"

Glancing at the clock, I am amazed to read 10:25am. Oh well. At least my intentions had been good.

My morning turned out pretty darn good, though, I'd say. This is what greeted me at the kitchen table, made by the loving hands of my sweet Greta Rose:

11 comments:

Becky said...

How sweet of Greta!
Ugh. I've had nights like that. You try so hard, but everything just works against you.
Do you get to sleep in tomorrow???

Ona said...

That was very sweet of Greta.

Tiffany said...

Well, my conclusions are that the night you take sleep aid is the night something will go wrong (at least that how it is for me and I have to pry my eyelids open with toothpicks); the guy must have been drunk or high to call THAT many times after you told him you nor anyone else in your home is named Kim; Greta makes amazing happy faces out of food; and I'm pretty sure God had a good lesson in there somewhere for ya that night!

Angela said...

That Greta what a sweetheart!

Happy McNally Mom said...

OK this story is just way to funny.

Molly said...

You do so much for Gabby! I'm sure with this brave hope to rise early and see her off to school, the thought meant just as much as the actual act.

That Greta, what a gift and a daily reminder of how much God loves you. Thanks for sharing her kind heart towards you with us.

Somehow I think motherhood has taught you things you never dreamed possible. I know that's true for me. Love you.

Lindsay said...

Now that is what I call BREAKFAST!

What a TREAT!

Here's to a GREAT weekend full of good things and REST with no crazy phone calls!

Anonymous said...

That is too funny! I think it's interesting how many things can mess up our plans. I'm so glad that you got a yummy breakfast out of the deal-that makes it a little bit okay, right?

Stefanie said...

I was the first one to read this when you posted it, but my computer was still broken and froze on your comments page - so I am BACK now to say that I loved this story...well, the ending of this story:).

I hope you caught up on your sleep - thanks for all your encouraging comments lately!!!

Man, it's midnight now (I've been working on my post for 3 hours...long story) and now I am going to be the one that will need a breakfast in bed...

Rachel said...

Wow, sounds like a rough night...too bad he didn't call my house, I'm up at all hours during these last weeks of pregnancy. At least you got to sleep in and had breakfast waiting for you!!

Valerie of Momia said...

Umm, yeah. FYI- Greta's like the coolest girl I know of. She's just precious. And I'm not going to let her grow up!!

Sorry about the phone calls and it messing up your sleep and intentions! Urgh!! So glad you had a little angel to make you breakfast in the morning.

Truly, Greta's a gem.