Drama tryouts were the other day. I had a few vying for the lead role.

Let me set the stage for our best audition. The scene takes place in a cozy little home located somewhere in the middle of Dallas. The home is a loving place full of laughter, kids running to and fro, happily playing with neighborhood friends.

But, oh! Something is amiss. The mother is banging closed a car door and racing into the house. Maybe we should rewind a few minutes to grasp the big picture.

Action!

7:15 a.m.
“Do you have your lunch ready?”
“Yes, Maahhwwm.” eye roll.
“Well, I was just asking. Last week we had a bit of an issue.”
Silence.
“Okay. So I’m proud of you for having it all together.”

7:20 a.m. Mom spots a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the table with a small package of chips.
“I thought you said you had your lunch ready.”
“Oh…. I was just joking.”

Mom fights the urge to lecture and accepts the “joke”.

7:23 a.m.
“Is your backpack ready?”
“Yes!” (this time the eye-roll action is accompanied with a silent, “Gosh!”)
“Okay … well we need to be in the car and gone in 7 minutes.”
“I know, Mom… by the way – it’s ready!”

7:30 a.m. Everyone is in the car except one.

Waiting.

7:33 a.m. Drop dead point at which the car can leave and deposit the riders to their point of destination without the scarlet letter T appearing on a student’s chest (as in Tardy!).

7:36 a.m. Camera zooms into where our scene began… Mother banging closed a car door and racing back into the house.

“WE ARE LEAVING! I WILL COME BACK TO GET YOU LATER!”
“WHY?!! You’re SO MEAN!” yells back the wounded slow-poke. Tears begin to flow. She then emphatically grabs her back pack, high “Hummphh”-ing all the way to the car where she falls into the back seat (over-emphasizing a trip over her brother’s back-pack) and wails to her sister. “Mom is soooo mean!” All of this is followed by more tears and whispers moaning about her mistreatment. Which, by the way… I can hear.

Needless to say. We were late. Not only that. When I dropped them off, I reflex-actioned a, “Did everyone get their lunch?” to the sheepish response of “no” from the poor wounded soul. Followed up with a dramatic, “I don’t even WANT lunch!” response as I reveal not only her complete lack of effort, but lunch-making misrepresentation.

UGH!!!

My problem? I should have left her at home… turned off my incessant need to save … and allowed her feel the pain (that she wouldn’t soon forget) of being tardy and lunch-less. But no. My enabling heart won. Not only did she get the ride to school, I also took her the lunch. Pathetic… I know.

But on the bright side … I’m fairly certain she will get a curtain call for her performance. Maybe she can parlay her skills into a drama scholarship?! It was impressive.

Until then … thanks for letting me share my enabling stumble. It wasn’t pretty … but at least I’m aware. Here’s to hoping I can stand firm the next time I’m faced with the choice to leave – or not to leave.

Thanks for walking the road with me.
-Kay

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