Today was one of those days.

I got a flat tire on the way in to work this morning. I had made it more than three fourths of the way there before a tire slipped off the edge of the road with a bang. I drove a little further, but soon the horrid, grinding, screeching sound convinced me that I really shouldn’t try to go the rest of the way. I pulled over, texted my boss, and called AAA. Fortunately, they had someone available and I was back on the road after about 45 minutes. Unfortunately, the wait in the drizzle while he swapped the tire for my spare left me chilled. I slipped into the classroom chilled and discombobulated, to a chorus of excited voices, and felt like I was playing catch-up for the rest of the morning.

It was a tough day at work, with a couple of my little ones screaming out for attention in the only ways they know.

Then after work, I headed out to my car and discovered that my favorite umbrella had been in the back seat and was broken when the seats were folded down. As I mourned my pink umbrella, I drove to an appointment with my ENT doctor to discuss next steps.

They were running late and I was running early, so it was a 45-minute wait before I was ushered into an exam room for a twenty-minute wait. Then I discovered that I had been given an appointment with the PA instead of with the doctor. He started by telling me that “many people with post nasal drip symptoms have trouble with something called reflux-“ I stopped him there and said that I’d already discussed that with the doctor and he didn’t feel it was the case. The PA then looked at the computer and stated that there was a note there saying that it probably wasn’t the cause in my case. We continued on with a rather unproductive conversation for about fifteen minutes before we mutually decided that it might be better if I scheduled an appointment to see the doctor again. I made an appointment for next week and headed home.

Exhausted. Discouraged. Fighting tears.

Because it was one of those days.

One of those days when everything seems to go wrong. One of those days when the little things pile up so high it all just becomes too big.

One of those days.

But that’s only half the story…

That’s only the story when I’m focused on me. There are so many other characters to focus on.

The tow truck drive was cheerful and friendly as he came over to my car telling me it was going to be a long day. I was his third flat tire of the morning.

Then my parents came out and picked up my car to bring it to Midas and replace the tire while I was working. My school secretary was a great go-between, passing messages and holding my keys.

My coworkers were very supportive. A friend next door covered my class while I was running late, then came in and spent some one-on-one time with one of my little ones while I focused on teaching the math lesson. Then another started a conversation about what new supports we can implement to help my struggling students.

And my students were so cheerful and excited when I walked into the classroom. They were kind to each other, and helped each other and me. I was rubbing my hands together because they still felt cold and one little girl came over to me. “Let me help,” she said as she wrapped her hands around mine.

After supper, my best friend stopped by and we cried together and laughed together about our tough days.

Now, as I'm thinking back over my day, my perspective has changed. It was still a draining day. I’m still exhausted. But now I’m smiling. My mantra has changed.

Some days my life is full to the brim with love.

Today was one of those days.