Lists and More Lists

This morning began with the lists floating past my blurry eyes.  It’s Monday, for sure, but I tell myself to begin again by taking a deep breath and being thankful for this new day.  The yellow pad in front of me starts to fill with itemized lists of To Do assignments that I can’t wait to check off as the day progresses.  What is it about the satisfaction of that check in the box that gets me every time?

I think back to Sunday’s events of the Frog report with Hannah.  The notes and rough drafts accumulated over three weeks, the pictures of the shiny red-toed frog and the Goliath cut out with her best OT skills being put to work.  Her attempts at typing, left in a saved folder, were typed over imbedding her patient work.  “That skill will come,” I say to myself.  Practice and time will be the answer to that one. 

I’m lost in my memory of working with my girl, still creating my list.  A smile comes across my face as I think of her stopping her work after 5-10 minutes to go outside to toss a Frisbee with Dad, or run upstairs to dance with Jerad, playing loud music just for her.  She came downstairs in three different outfits in the duration of the time we set aside for this report, but it still got the boxes checked. 

Before we kissed goodnight I heard her words, “I love you more ever!”  They came with a gripping bear hug that choked my neck and smothered me on the pillow propped up beside hers for the nightly ritual.  This box was checked.  The most complete ending to our day.  It wasn’t even on my list, and yet, those are my favorite things to accomplish in my day.  I wish you luck, and more importantly, gratitude, in accomplishing all that isn’t on your list today!