The sore spot in my throat has progressed the way of all the colds I get… sinus congestion, cough and laryngitis. As of right now I have no voice to speak of (pun intended). My husband has been out of town for the week, it’s cold outside, the house is a mess, the kids don’t have school tomorrow and I have been trying to prepare to teach the lesson in Relief Society today.
Despite my lack of voice, the lesson went well thanks to the discussion and input of the sisters and while I felt blessed to be at church, I was ready for a nap when we returned home. However, after we arrived home from church, as occasionally happens, all hell broke loose (Hmmm, could it be… Satan?) The kids started fighting over pointless nonsense (from my perspective) and despite my plea for peace and harmony, or at least solitary confinement, frustration, tears, yelling, temper tantrums, a vow to run away and never come back and other dramatic outbursts were making me roll my eyes.
Since I couldn’t yell back I just practiced my Mormon Buddhism and observed the storm from the eye, acknowledging the obvious — we were right in the middle of a giant cluster cuss pity party (cue the world’s smallest violin). Of course everyone got mad when I suggested they quit feeling sorry for themselves, because of course it was mostly my fault (so I’m told) since everyone was hungry etc. etc. Which led me to start wondering what would be the best meal to eat at a pity party?
Brilliance triumphed once again if I do say so myself. I figured every party needs dessert so we started there. I surveyed the guilty for their preferences based on the options in the cupboard… Angel Food or Devil’s Food cake? The easy choice for that one was made by my youngest whom I quote, “Well, we need to have Devil’s food cake, it’s perfect, it’s like Satan” and there you have it. Then what shall we have for our main course? Call it inspiration, but I was already in the process of making Beef Stew – get it? HA! And finally a side dish or two? How about Oranges (as in ‘Orange’ you going to feel sorry for me too?) and finally Pity Party Salad… Lettuce alone!
Somehow, once everyone started expressing the ‘beefs’ that they were ‘stewing’ over and were able to start joking about feeling sorry for themselves, the mood lightened, a collective sigh was released and the good feelings returned to our home.
So the next time you recognize that you’re in the middle of a pity party why not embrace it, maybe put on some music like Why? by Tracy Chapman, Nothing by Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians or Trouble Me by 10,000 Maniacs and don’t forget some delicious food.
Dinner’s over, the dishes are cleaned, now can I take a nap?
