A Broken Heater, a Stuck Car, a Flat Tire, a Swimming Lesson, a Bucket of Chicken, and an Avocado

Yesterday was a gong show. I had to leave early to get some blood work done before work. Jon was coming off his shift and rushed home for a quick hand-off. The four-year old was still sleeping when I left. She had her first swimming lesson since the pandemic started that afternoon. We decided Jon would get both kids ready and bring them into town. I’d meet them at the pool as soon as I was done work.

The heat in the shop crapped out so Jon had someone out to look at it before he left. He was distracted and ended up stuck and high-centered in our snow-drifted driveway. He couldn’t get unstuck. Annoying, but he could put the car seats in the old truck and get the kids to town in time. Nope, the truck had a flat tire.

A desperate call later and grandma was on the way to take our daughter to the pool. I couldn’t get away early so I met them there. Her hair was a rat’s nest so I sacrificed my ponytail and tied it back for her. Rushed her into a swimsuit, made sure she showered and waited in the right spot, and was treated to a sopping hug.

In the meantime, my dad came over, and with some kitty litter and some shovelling, the vehicle was freed.

I watched my daughter swim and helped her dry off and get dressed up. It was hot and humid in the change room. I was wearing my winter coat, and my hair was hanging in my face. And there were lots of kids. I could feel panic rising, and I had to slow my breathing under my mask.

We made it out, and I called home, “I’m picking up food.”

KFC. When we were home, I threw the bucket on the table, readying myself for dinner, baths, stories, songs, bedtime. The baby was already eating leftovers, but I put a few fries on his tray. And you know what I thought? I thought, “We really haven’t given him very much avocado.”

After the whirlwind day. The blood work, the broken heater, the stuck car, the flat tire, the first swimming lesson, I was lamenting the lack of avocado in my child’s diet. I took a deep breath and sat down. The baby climbed out and sat on my lap. The four-year old had to be coaxed down from standing on her chair and belting out a song.

We ate our KFC. Together. And that’s what they’ll remember.