Have you ever done something stupid?  I didn’t think so.

I know better.

My $172 lesson should never have happened.

My mommy skills have been on vacation for over 30 years – but I still should know better than to show impatience with my cognitively disabled charge.

Several weeks ago, we went to the post office to complete a change of address and I thought I should let him do whatever he could, so we went to a table by the window to complete the card, and he was complaining but completed it rather messily.  His handwriting is sometimes hard to read – especially if he is in a mood.  Long story short he embarrassed me with his whining and calling the system, the need to complete the card, the clerks who had to explain it to him twice, and me – stupid.

Well, he got no mail, and my conscience was prickling me that I should have redone that card.

My goals for yesterday were to set up automatic payments for his phone and to redo the address change card at the post office. His goal was to buy some cheesecake.

First, he was not outside waiting. Sometimes he falls asleep after lunch, so I went in, got permission to go to his room, signed him out, and went upstairs.  I’d have to wait, he informed me, he was watching his favorite soap opera.  While I waited, I looked online to see if we could do the phone payment change on the phone.  It looked like we could.   He came out and I asked him if he would like to try to make the arrangements on the phone and that would be one less place to stop.  Good he said, let’s do it. He wanted to go get the cheesecake .

We could not understand the first rep and he did not understand us. He was not sure it could be done on the phone.  I decided to call again and get another agent. That time we got as far as ‘that is not your passcode’.  I will text you a code so you will confirm you are who you say you are, and we will give you a new passcode. He said he did not want a new passcode and she said you cannot use the one you gave me. (The one he set up at the store). He did not bring his phone as he was not going to need it, and they would not text to my phone, so we had to hang up, go get his phone and call the company the third time.  I was rolling my eyes at the crazy steps it was taking us and that only fed his irritability.  He was starting up with the stupid comments again. The third agent apologized; said I will send text now then you can set up a new passcode.  For the new passcode we gave the original passcode and then he said you cannot deduct payment direct from acct. It must be debit card or credit card.  So, we went to the bank who said they all had meetings and there was no one to set up a checking account so he could have a debit card just for the phone, and once we come back to open the checking then it will be 10-14 days before he gets the card. By then the payment would be overdue.  My charge was extremely upset and started calling the bank and banker stupid. I told him to be respectful, but he walked out muttering stupid.

We went to the phone company and paid the bill for 2 months because who knew how long it would take to get the debit card set up.  He was grumbling in there as well asking me if we can go get the cheesecake now.  I told him I have a pkg to mail so we have to do that first, then we will pick up the frozen food.  As we got out of the car at the post office, I told him we might as well ask the clerk if we should fill out the change of address again.  He said no that is stupid.

You get the picture. The clerk agreed with me, if the workers could not read the card, they would set the mail aside. I completed the card and had my charge sign it. He was like a toddler having a tantrum, chanting stupid, stupid, stupid, when we had to bring the card back to the clerk. She was very uncomfortable as he is a tall guy.  I told him twice to be respectful and my final attempt was if you don’t stop that and be respectful you will not get your cheesecake.

It is funny now, but I was so ticked.  The clerk assured me he would likely get mail today. His relative in CA had mailed a card a week ago to test the system. We got his cheesecake, and I took him home.  I was still upset and immediately asked God to help me calm down.  No – I did not.  I should have.  Instead, I went over and over the hours in my head and berated myself for what I should have said and should have done.  I guess so much angry thinking distracted me because on the way home the wheel on the passenger side of the car hit the curb.

I know better than to drive when distracted.   I called my heroes and while they were on the way I sent a text to my sister.  She reminded me of all the things I had to be thankful for, and the gift of all the things that did NOT happen. (Thanks, Marvel). I went out to take a picture of the flat and saw my license plate. It has EVY in it so that is what we named the car as every time we see it brings a reminder – of James 1:17

EVY (every) good gift and perfect gift comes from God –

That was a good lesson for me. When distracted, stop, and give up the distraction to the Lord. Let Him work it out.

I bet your ears are exhausted from listening to my tale. If any of you can avoid a $172 (new tire) lesson from not doing what I did, it will be worth it .