People cope with things going on in their lives in so many different ways! The way you deal with a situation or circumstance may be totally different than the way I do! No way is better than the other. It’s just a matter of finding what works best for you.

For me, it’s laughter. It’s how I cope, and the way I try and help other people cope. The other day I was having a pretty tough couple of hours. I ran to Target to pick up some things at the drive up, and decided to treat myself to Sonic on the way home. Truth be told, I have a slight obsession with their shakes. They have been a contributing factor to the extra pounds I have gained during quarantine.

I ordered my normal cookies and cream shake, and as I always do, got CJ some tator tots. When I got to the window the young man handed me my cookies and cream shake and told me my banana shake would be right out. I asked him if he meant my tator tots. He laughed so loud and said, I totally messed that up.

You could tell he had an incredibly laid back attitude, and didn’t miss a beat. He called over the manager and told her he made a mistake. They closed the window, and the next time it opened he handed me the banana shake (I was told so it wouldn’t go to waste) and two large tator tots. He apologized and again started laughing. I thanked him by name, and he cracked up even more. He informed me that wasn’t his name. He had stolen someone else’s name tag because he had no idea where his was. I smiled and pulled away.

That five minute encounter was what I needed to turn my mood around. When I got home, Jack was there to greet me with his cheesy grin and the night continued on as most normally do. Sometimes all you need is a reset, and my trip to Sonic gave me just that.

Adulting is hard, and some days are easier than others. I try and surround myself with people who can lift me up, and find the simplest ways to bring a smile to my face. Most days, those small gestures or conversations come at just the right moments, and are usually from one of my kids, or Steve.

When Ella is in the middle of a major meltdown and I am in her bed trying to comfort her, Jack will walk in with his bare buns and start dancing for no reason. Or if Jack is having a tantrum, screaming because I won’t let him have a THIRD cookie before bed, CJ will come flying in the room and leap over Jack singing some ridiculous song he made up. The best is when Ella starts laughing out of the blue. Her laugh is contagious and somehow comes at just the right time. It’s impossible to not join her. Steve has also become great at saying the craziest things to get a reaction from me. Usually that reaction comes with a smile or laugh.

Sarcasm is another one of my favorite coping mechanisms, and one I use almost daily. It’s an art, and if you have not perfected it, you sound like a fool. A quality sarcastic comment can always get a smile, or laugh, from me. I am very blessed to be surrounded by some of the funniest and most sarcastic people. It’s true what they say, birds of a feather flock together.

I encourage you all to find your people. The people who make the hard days just a little bit better. Be open to their help, and appreciate those moments when random strangers find a way to make you smile. I find that I rarely have a bad day, only bad moments within a day. If you look hard enough, you can usually find the joy.

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