About three weeks ago Girl #1 became giddy about the prospect of being in an organization called Student Council. I may have predated Student Council as it pertains to elementary school but, Girl #1 quickly brought me up to speed by telling me:
1. Being in Student Council is as important as picking the university you go to, and getting married.
2. The Student Council makes critical decisions in the school - such as what to sell in the PTA Christmas
2. and being an effective Student Council representative requires organization (a skill Girl #1 assured me she has even though her room, closet, and Yukon seat show no signs of it).
She explained to me how in third grade there are two representatives - a boy and a girl. From ALL OF THIRD GRADE JUST TWO STUDENTS ARE PICKED. By the teachers. She told me she could name about 10 people from just her class who were applying. She also explained that in fourth and fifth grade there are more representatives and sometimes they are just picked by the teacher and don't have to apply. I found it all rather confusing and considered calling her teacher and attempting to bribe her into picking Girl 1.
But like any good mother would, I decided against bribery. And instead, I encouraged Girl #1 to write an application letter for Student Council. This was done with much fanfare. She wrote, rewrote, proofed, wrote again, and then repeated all of those about 27 times. It was exhausting and all I did was encourage and mutter, "Mm-hmm." We had many (and by "many" I mean over 100) discussions that went something like this:
Girl: Mom, do you think they'll pick me?
Me: Well, honey, I don't know. You are doing your best and that is all we can do. I certainly think you are the most qualified person for the job and your application is going to be outstanding.
Girl: Yeah, but do you think they'll PICK me?
Me: Again, baby, there is really no way to know for sure.
Girl: Well, I just want to be in Student Council so bad. I just really, really, really, really hope they pick me.
Me: I know, baby. I know.
Now, after a few days of this kind of talk it became apparent to me that we would have a family World War III if Girl #1 was not picked. And, because we are lucky, part of me knew that that was precisely what would happen. I just never imagined it would happen quite like it did.
Two Fridays ago I picked everyone up from school like I always do. About 10 minutes into our ride home Boy calmly with not too much excitement said, "Hey, mom. I almost forgot to tell you. I am in student council."
Before I could say, "WHAT??? YOU DIDN'T EVEN APPLY OR WANT TO BE IN STUDENT COUNCIL," there was a loud shriek/howl from Girl #1 and I think she said, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN??? YOU CAN'T BE IN STUDENT COUNCIL. YOU DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO BE IN STUDENT COUNCIL. DID YOU???? DID YOU???? OH MY GOSH. DID YOU WANT TO BE IN STUDENT COUNCIL AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME??? I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO BE IN STUDENT COUNCIL FOR LIKE A WEEK NOW. YOU STOLE THIS FROM ME. YOU THIEF. YES. YOU ARE A THIEF. YOU STOLE THIS. THE SCHOOL IS NEVER GOING TO PICK ME NOW BECAUSE I AM YOUR SISTER. I AM NOT FORGIVING YOU."
Fast forward to Girl #1 not being picked. And numerous talks about: how she did her best, how sometimes we do our best and things still don't work out, how we can still be happy for the winners, how brother did not intentionally do this to hurt her, how teachers don't know everything that goes on in every one's homes (thank you, Jesus), how sometimes people get things that they don't ask for or even particularly want that we DO want, how we are called to forgive those who hurt us, how this will not be the last disappointment she will ever have, how some people just sometimes "get stuff" or "get A's" without even studying, etc., etc.
If it sounds simultaneously melodramatic and traumatic, it was. Times about 200. If you are thinking it must have taken her a while to "get over it," you are astute. It did. It took a few days, but I was sure she was over it. She had told me and hubby that she understood everything we had talked about, that she was proud of her efforts, and that she had indeed done her best.
Fast forward again to last Wednesday when I picked up the two girls. Brother stayed for the first Student Council meeting of the year. Girl 1 got in the Yukon and silently started sobbing.
Me: What's wrong?
Girl 1: It's Student Council meeting day.
Me: I know, baby. But, remember we talked about that? Remember everything we talked about?
Girl 1: I know all that, mom. But you didn't tell me they would have snacks at their meetings!!! They are having M&M's and Goldfish and you know those are my favorites.
Sometimes it is not the big stuff, it's the small stuff. Here's to not sweating the small stuff and I hope you have a fabulous week. :o)
