Relax

Wednesdays are garbage days. With the trash out on one side of the driveway and the recycle on the other, the children and I went to visit my Granny this morning. I set each item on either side of the driveway because I have been left notes about setting them apart, at least 6 feet so that the arm on the garbage truck can pick up the can. Another way to think about it is so that the garbage collector does not have to get out of the truck and manually dump the can. Upon our return ,our can was in between a tree and the knocked over recycle bins on the other side of the driveway. The garbage collector was still in the circle emptying cans. In the driveway was broken glass and cans scattered about. As I was cleaning up the mess, the garbage collector drove on by without looking my way, drove straight threw the stop sign while I dialed the phone number on the side of his truck. Needless to say, I was a little disturbed and I am not sure if I was more mad about the mess or the stop sign. I left a message with the Supervisor hopping for a returned phone call. The children were still in the car as I was cleaning up the mess. My daughter calls out to me, knowing that I am mad, "Relax mom. It is just recycling. We can just pick it up." You know what, she is right. When the Supervisor called back I told him the story and he said he would radio the driver. I told him not to worry about it, it is a time for forgiving and it was a easy fit. What happens in our life that changes the way we think about situations? My daughter was not mad and had come up with a plan to make it all right. Why can't life be as simple as a 4 year old sees it?