"I spent the day doing some Christmas shopping with [friend] and [her daughter]. For most of the day [her daughter] was either quiet or in a good mood, though the moments when she wasn’t either – but was, in fact, actively crying – were the moments I was holding her. Given that, it was hard not to be disappointed. [Mr. Wonderful] joined us for dinner, however, and she loved his voice and calmness. She stared at him all through dinner and consistently held his hand when extended to her. It was adorable, but I was offended. That is, until he asked to hold her. It took her all of 20 seconds to break into a god-awful wail.
That’s when I realized that she doesn’t love him more than me, she just prefers her mother." (#261)
On Sunday Mr. Wonderful and I had a wonderful day, but late at night we shared a beautiful moment -- one in which he was the most vulnerable I've ever seen him -- that I included that in my December Daily project. It was an intensely private moment, however, and one that I won't even share with many friends. It's one of those moments that I want to hold onto in my heart rather than repeatedly say aloud, because it diminishes the power of it to talk about it and cheapens the experience. Needless to say, it was a breakthrough moment, and I am so grateful that I was patient during his period of understandable grief and nonsense (#262).
Yesterday was memorable in two ways. First, I had my first review as an employee of my new company, where I have been for 8 months. I was told that I'm doing a great job and that no one has any complaints. They think I'm great. They just wanted to offer one piece of constructive criticism: stop apologizing for things out of your control. Now, how important is that?!? (#263)
Second, I had dinner again with the same friend and her daughter, as I've been trying to do what I can to help while her husband is in Japan. After dinner, which my friend kindly made, she gave the baby a bath, and I cleaned the kitchen. When they returned downstairs my friend said, "Look, [daughter], Aunt [GratefulHumble] cleaned the kitchen!" And I loved that moment, because I am really starting to believe that in life I am doing a great job, and because I also was officially ushered in as the adopted aunt (!!!). (#264)
And that's it. Those are my stories and my reminders as of late to continue to be grateful and humble.
-Me