I was on the telephone at eight o’clock this morning. On the telephone, and on hold, waiting for Michael’s teacher to pick up the other end so I could blast him right out of his chair.
I’d written a pretty forceful email on Friday, but when I sent it to Ash, and asked her opinion, she told me not to send it. I’m an impulsive person, so I try to get the advice of a trusted, less impulsive person before I jump off any bridges.
Because she’s got to be one of the most level headed and sane people I know ( ♥ her), I took her advice and just let it go for the weekend.
“Mr. Thomas” stepped over the line a little and in a moment of frustrated anger, he embarrassed Michael and made him feel humiliated and stupid. Then he added insult to injury by committing a thoughtless deed that meant very little to him, but meant a LOT to Michael, so the kid got kicked while he was already down.
You want to see fire shoot from the face of a woman? Hurt her kid.
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I can hear Mike and the boys in the other room talking about normal morning stuff. I can hear voices in the distant background on the other end of the phone line.
I’m waiting.
I don’t know what I’m going to say. I want to explode, and yet I don’t want to be seen as the crazy, exploding mom. I want to be heard, and taken seriously. I don’t want to overreact, and being that I wasn’t there myself, that’s hard to judge. I know Michael is worried about the “fall out” of the call. He doesn’t want to be uncomfortable at school.
And then BAM! I knew what to do.
Right there, holding the phone to my ear and waiting on hold, I closed my eyes and took a deep, conscious breath and relaxed on the exhale. Then, in my mind I said, “Please help me to bring peace to this situation…”
In the blink of an eye, I realized, I don’t have to be right. I don’t have to yell. I don’t have to make him feel bad for making Michael feel bad. I’d already talked with Michael about how this teacher has 90 students, and by the time his class is there in the afternoon, this guy has clearly been worn thin and is ready to go home.
I don’t have to make this guy feel defensive. I don’t have to accuse.
What I DO have to do is bring peace to this situation for the highest good of all involved. And as soon as I’d cleared my head, and asked for help, I suddenly, just knew it would be fine.
And it was.
It was a productive conversation. I didn’t have to accuse anyone of anything. As soon as he was on the line, he told me that he spoke out of turn and apologized, saying he intended to speak with Michael as soon as he got there.
Then we were able to discuss the current project which is what seems to be the trigger that’s stressing both of them. As it turns out, Michael is further along than Mr Thomas thought he was, and most of the stress was unfounded.
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Thank you Miss Ash for being my friend and sounding board. Many people say they don’t know what they’d do without a loved one. I know what I would do if I didn’t have you. I would talk to no one because most think I’m insane a good portion of the time, and I’d make myself look like a complete asshole a lot more frequently. You are not the wind beneath my wings, but the gravity that keeps me grounded. Thank God for you.
Thank you angels or guides or Yeshua or God or all or everything… You all give some kick-ass advice when I’m able to shut up and listen. Bring peace. Good one.
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It amazes me that such a highly charged subject was so easily brought to a peaceful end, and on a Monday morning. Gives me great hope for this day… This week…
Not that I had any doubts to begin with…
