Better

I wrote a depressing post yesterday. I try not to do that. I actually have a private blog and a handwritten journal for my most private, depressing thoughts. But yesterday, for whatever reason, I wrote it here.

Things are better today. I was reading a really great blog today, Andrea Merriman: The Unexpected Life, and I was reminded that when the trials come - well, we just need to press on. I was reminded of that at Stake Conference today as well. We cannot choose many of the things that happen. We cannot choose how others decide to respond or how their actions may impact us. But we *can* choose how we respond.

So...when Richard's switch flips as it did yesterday and he chooses to take himself out of commission for the whole day in order to spare us his anger and wrath and basic insanity, how am I going to respond? Was his response a good thing? Maybe. Maybe not. It was probably better than him blowing up all over a bunch of people who did nothing to deserve it. I hate that the switch flipped at all and wish we knew what caused it.

But...how did I respond? I was supportive (I thought) as he told me about being so angry. I tried really, really, really hard not to show my frustration to the boys throughout the day as Richard slept and I shopped and harvested my crops and made dinner and cooked meals for my Cafe and did Richard's laundry. (That last one right there should nominate me for sainthood.) I tried my very best not to be passive/aggressive.

By this morning, Richard was feeling much better. And he was understanding that it might take me a little bit to recover as well; that I can't just jump back into everything's-hunky-dory-again. I must say that he could be doing a bit more to help the process along (chocolate, anyone?), but he did make a really yummy breakfast this morning.

So...it's a new day. We had a wonderful stake conference meeting today. Inspired talks and a simply fabulous primary choir. I love hearing children sing. James and John were part of it. Chris went to the broadcast at our ward building while the younger boys and I went with friends to the stake center. We had to be there extra early for choir rehearsal, so we got good cushy seats. First time in forever I've sat in the good seats for stake conference! Yay! Richard stayed home and worked on his motorcycle. That bothers me a bit, but again...I can't choose his actions.

I can, however, choose my response. Today I will choose to smile, give him a hug, tell him what he missed, and go harvest my crops. ;-)