I had a heart-stopping moment last week. Lately things have been crazy and, in turn, they’ve made me and certain members of my family crazy. We typically hold it together pretty well but this last month or so some of us have had random outbursts of tears or frustration. Between weddings and vacations and work… it’s been stressful.
The week before my brother’s wedding I sat down on the couch to cancel and confirm some hotel reservations. I stuck the dogs out in the fenced-in backyard like I often do on sunny days and I plugged in the laptop so it wouldn’t randomly die. While I sat at home to work on that stuff K was in a car with my dad, cousin, and another groomsmen, all on their way to try on their tuxes. Keep in mind, up until this point I was holding it together pretty well.
So I logged on to check out the reservations and there’s NOTHING THERE. I call my mom because she booked them and this is her account, but she’s pretty clueless about the reservations. Eventually I find them via the booking code (but why they weren’t under “my bookings” is beyond me). So I go through and get ready to cancel a few since today’s the last day to do so and I realize that it’s 6:30pm. The business day is over. The website says there’s now a +$250 fee to cancel half the rooms. In the same breath, my husband calls to say that his tux doesn’t fit and he’ll have to drive 30 minutes north tomorrow and try it on again. Also, the plan for hauling the wedding “get away” car keeps changing and it’s getting frustrating. Also, there’s a knock at the front door but I’m on the phone freaking out to my mom now so who the hell is bothering me right now.
I huff and puff and button my pants (because I was halfway to my room to change into yoga pants when all this started) and I throw the door open. And a girl about my age is standing there with a dog that looks just like Lylee on a tatter blue leash.
“Are these your dogs?” she asks.
My jaw, heart, and stomach all dropped at the same time. I was speechless except for the, “Oh my gosh, yes” that I managed to mutter. I looked past her and saw Enzo dashing across the front yard.
I found my voice and sternly said, “Enzo, COME” and the little escapee stopped in his tracks and made a bee-line past me through the front door. The girl and I unhooked Lylee and I showered her with thanks before closing the door and staring at my two happy, panting dogs.
And then I literally fell to the floor and starting crying because hotel rooms don’t matter. And tuxes don’t matter. I have my two dogs and that’s what matters. The fact that my brother is going to say “I do” and marry a wonderful girl is what matters. I was peeved at my dogs but I nuzzled my face in the necks and cried with joy. I didn’t even know they were gone.
The hotel rooms worked out- I called and they canceled them without a fee. The car made it to and from Columbus. My husband looked incredibly handsome in his tux. Turns out the gate latch didn’t close and Lylee pushed out. And I still have no idea who the girl was that brought my babies home.
It’s jolts to my system like that that keep me grounded. Thank God they don’t happen every day. And thank God for that girl and her timing and her motivation to bring my dogs to me.
Don’t let the trivial things get to you, friends. They don’t matter. ❤︎
Life as Louise 
This brought tears to my eyes for some reason. Because I freak out over things alllll the time and I’m trying so hard to just enjoy and not let miniscule things get to me. Great sentiment!
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I try SO hard to remember what’s important but when the little things pile up like that it takes a pretty big wave to knock me back to reality. That did it!
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Oh man, what a day!! It’s always hard to remember it will be ok when you’re in the thick of it. But so glad everything turned out alright!
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I’m glad, too 🙂 It was just a very stressful day.
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Wowsers! You had a rough day, but I’m glad you turned it around and found some positive from your day. You’re so right, it doesn’t matter about trivial things, it matters that your dogs and family are safe and happy.
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It was a rough day 😦 You’re absolutely right! The safety and happiness of my pups and family is what matters most!
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I am so glad that everything worked out! It can get so stressful when it feels like everything is falling apart, but I’m so glad you found the joy again.
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Me, too! It was honestly like someone grabbing my shoulders and shaking me and repeating, “Just CALM DOWN.” Haha 🙂
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This is such a beautiful story. In the moment it’s so easy to get upset about the little roadblocks in our life. The first day we got to Hawaii I was freaking out because I didn’t think we would be able to find a place to live. The next day we found a place. Focusing on what matters is a wise decision. I’m so glad your dogs were returned safely!
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I’m so glad you guys found a place to live- that’s a MUCH bigger deal than silly hotel rooms and tuxes! It all turned out ok for me and I was being super dramatic- but I think it all happened for a reason and left me feeling more grateful and less stressed 🙂
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Ohhh, girl I feel you! I’m so glad everything worked out in the end. A friend of mine has this saying… Whenever I’m stressed, or anyone he knows is stressed, he says, “Everything always works out, always.” and it’s something that I repeat to myself often when I’m stressed because most of the time – it’s true! I know that’s so scary though! Glad they’re both okay. ❤
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I try to keep that mentality but I was seriously losing it that day! It all worked out in the end and our dogs are good pups & have our address on their collars- so we’re prepared for that situation.. but still. It was a whole stack of things that came crashing down on me in one moment. But everything turned out ok 🙂
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Oh man!!! That is the worst feeling ever when you realize your doggies escaped! Mac has made a disappearing act a few times when we lived at our old house and once just a month or two ago and it is so terrifying! Glad that your neighbor brought them back to you!!! Weddings can be so stressful. As can reservations for anything!!!!
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My heart stopped when I saw Lylee on the leash! I think I’m just glad that I didn’t know they were gone because I’d have been a MESS. I got just right jolt of reality sans the heart attack. Haha! (Poor Mac! I’m glad he’s been found each time!)
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I’m so glad that everything turned out well in the end! What an afternoon!!
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Thank you! Me too 🙂
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oh man that is a rough day – so so happy for a friendly neighbor bring those puppies home and i’m so glad everything worked out!
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I wish I knew who she was! I’d write today’s thank you note to her!! Haha 😀 #31DaysofKindness
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I am definitely one who sometimes lets the little trivial things get to me. Life over the past few months has shown me that things can be so much worse, so I think it’s happening less. But even now, I still struggle with it!
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I’m sorry you’ve been having a rough few months 😦 Losing my dogs would’ve devastated me so being reminded that there are worse things than cancellation fees and poorly fitted tuxes was a blessing in disguise.
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Oh that is just terrifying! All of that created the perfect storm. I have moments like that when I’m worried about something trivial, and then something will happen with Gracie that will give me a heart attack and bring me back to reality. Mixed blessings, those moments.
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Definitely the perfect storm. And a knock on the front door was all it took to bring me back to Earth. I’m very grateful it all turned out like it did for me!
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Oh gosh… amen girl – amen!!!!
Its funny how real life events show you priorities.
SO GLAD your fur babies were OK & returned safely
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Thanks, Rebecca 🙂 In the end I’m glad the pups got home, too. Seriously, thank GOD for people like that girl who checked their collars and brought them home!
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Well I’m over here crying! Wish I could give you a big hug right now! So SO glad your babes came back unharmed! (And so glad the other things worked out too!)
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I think the whole ordeal lasted an hour but it was such a train wreck all at once! I feel very lucky that everything turned out ok 🙂 Thank, Emily!
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Oh, wow. What a whirlwind of emotions in a day! Nobody deserves the kind of stress that you had.
P.S. I got teary-eyed reading this, too…
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I think I wrote about 4 things that went wrong/could’ve gone wrong… and I feel very lucky that they all turned out ok. It was a really stressful, then scary, hour!
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Oh my goodness friend! I am right there with you! I didn’t blog about this – though I might later. But on the way to Nashville I just cried for like 2 hours. I miss my family. They live in AZ we live in KS. I don’t like my job. My cat is having issues. Ugh. I just couldn’t anymore. It was right around the time that there was just day after day of shootings and protests and shootings and everything was awful. I literally cried everyday for at least a week. I understand, so much, what you are feeling here. I’m glad your dogs were safe, and for the nice girl who brought them back – because those are the kinds of people we need more of in the world! 🙂 The perspective you have here is so great, thank you for sharing it! Hoping for a calmer Aug-Dec!!! for everyone! 🙂 XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
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Yes, yes, yes. I feel ya. I’m so sorry about your kitty 😦 I kills me when my pups are acting weird or show signs of sickness. I get so anxious and weepy.
I hope the second half of the year is very calm and resolving for you! I have struggled with almost everything you listed (or I still do), and it’s just no fun 😦
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