A Sensitive Day

Do you ever have those days when anything remotely touching threatens to make get you all teary eyed? I had one of those days. And I'm not really sure why. I think it has to do with my overall emotionality, like how much do I repress, and how much is trying to come out.

Today, reading an interview of Michelle Obama by Oprah in O Magazine almost had me going. It was the part about how her kids still have to make their beds, and that the staff was told that they shouldn't be treated like princesses, but like kids. I read it out loud to G, and she gave me that "Mom's off her rocker again" look. I found it really touching. For some reason I feel like I could know Michelle O. She's just about my age, similar (if not exactly the same) background, I lived in Hyde Park, we have kids close in age. Of any woman in politics, she's the one I feel I have the most connected to. Who knows. Maybe I am off my rocker. But I hope that the example she sets will connect to many women today.

And the big kahuna of teariness today: G's Brownie Troop made and served dinner for 60 at a shelter tonight. They also set up the shelter cots. The shelter is held in nearby churches and rotates. G, of course, has never been up close and personal with homeless people. Seeing all of the well scrubbed faces of our Brownies, contrasted to the rows of mats on the floor for the people to sleep in was a little jolt. I've lived in the area for 20 years and had never seen the shelter or helped out. What an important service in our community. And they find people to work there year in and year out. I was so proud of her, and all of the girls and their ability to be of service, to help others, and maybe, just maybe to reflect on their own situations. Just thinking about it is making me a little misty.

Ok, so I've tucked them in and given them their kisses. Maybe I'll get a glass of wine and have a little cry, just because.