I HAVEN’T HAD A DAY as crappy as this one in a long time. And I really do detest that previous word choice. But up until a few moments ago, no other adjective seemed quite as defining.
The badness of this day started early this morning when my teenaged son woke up feeling sick. Fortunately for me, he called for his dad. (Everyone in this household knows that dad is more medically-inclined than mom.) With ice water to sip and an ice cream bucket tucked beside him in bed, my boy fell back asleep. Unfortunately, the parents did not—until around the time the alarm clicked on.
Then, about mid morning, I heard the unmistakable sound of puking coming from my teen’s upstairs bedroom. I can handle vomit and sick kids. But I was already worrying about whether my junior-in-high-school son will be well enough to take his college entrance exam on Saturday. I am wondering even more after the second episode of throwing up. (If you’re reading this post prior to, or right after, eating, please accept my apologies.)
Next, I had to deal with multiple stains on an off-white carpet. Stuff happens and I did not, to my surprise, become upset.
But then…I discovered my failure to empty my daughter’s jacket pocket of a map. That’s only a problem it you’ve tossed the coat and other clothing in the washing machine. I had done that, after supposedly checking the unfamiliar black coat for pockets and finding no pockets. Apparently my eyesight is not what it once was, or it could have something to do with the dark basement laundry room. The mess of paper-plastered clothes is now back in the wash and the laundry room floor is littered with paper shreds.
All of the events of my crappy, crappy morning were on my mind as I reached into my mailbox and pulled out my mail, including a letter from District One Hospital. I ripped open the envelope.
It read in part: “We are pleased to inform you that the results of your recent mammography examination appear normal.”
Suddenly my crappy, crappy day got a whole lot better.
© Copyright 2010 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Normal’s a great place to be, especially on a crappy day!
Yup, I like “normal,” especially since my mom is a breast cancer survivor.
Some days can certainly be crap! We all have those. Just when we have the day planned, right before our eyes, big problems began. Go with it! What else can we do? I guess that’s life!