Pinch, Pinch, Pull

So often in life we take for granted the little things. Those little things can actually be big things, like the gift of sight- seeing fall colors; or hearing your kids laugh because you have the gift of hearing.

Well, lately, I have been humbled by the reminders of the little things in my life that I have taken for granted. I guess if I group it all under the "big" thing- it would be the gift of having two working arms and hands. The little things, well, let me just say-they are things that you don't even think about. I never did. Until now.

As I have previously mentioned, I fell right before Christmas and fractured my arm, which resulted in a very complicated surgery with 2 plates and 12 screws. Right after that surgery and fall is when God starting pointing out the little things to me... like the ability to apply make up, blow dry my hair, put in my contacts, shave both underarms, and yes, even draw a fork to my mouth. So, on a particular day- about 2 weeks ago- it was with SOLID determination that I decided I WOULD get that bobby pin to hold my bangs back- whether I had only my left hand to do it or not. And, I did. And I cheered my reflection in the mirror. I cheered myself again when I managed to get my sweat pants on with one hand, but was a bit disappointed to find out that they were on backwards. I patted myself on the back for each little "event" I managed with one hand- even the sports bra.

A few minutes later, Coen came in and asked me for a snack. He had in his hand a Little Debbie snack cake- the seasonal Christmas tree cakes that my boys love. He wanted me to open it. I was pondering how I could use my hand and my teeth to open it up when he said, "No, no, mommy, your arm broken, I get it!" I thought, "okay, learning experience", and told him the little trick of "Pinch, Pinch, Pull" that Mason's preschool teachers used years ago to teach the kids how to open the snacks in their lunch box. It took him a few tries- he's a lefty and had to figure out how to pinch firmly and pull at the same time. But suddenly it popped open and his eyes popped open just as wide and he shouted gleefully to me, "I DID IT MOMMY!!!! I OPENED MY SNACK!" as if he had just beat a world record.

I was immediately hit with the irony and timing of his learning experience- minutes after I had just cheered myself over the bobby pin and pants incident. I thought to myself that we take such little things for granted, but little ones, they don't. Every minute is a new learning experience, a new accomplishment.

I learned from him about taking things for granted that day. And today's Pinch-Pinch-Pull moment is getting to eat ice cream from the spoon I held in my right hand.