White Sweater

Tired from a long day at work, the young man looked down at the little faces staring up at him as he walked in the door. "Daddy, I scratched my elbow today at school" the smallest says. He gently lifts her elbow to his lips and kisses it. "All better?" She smiles the sweetest smile at him and as if he performed a medical miracle - she is suddenly healed. Dropping his briefcase he quietly fixed them dinner while they told him the adventures of their day. The 2nd grade class lost the turtle on the playground but found him just before school let out. Oh the drama!

His mother walks through the door - dusting the snow off of her coat. "Hello? Anyone home?" The children dash from the dinner table and rush to give her hugs. He casually looks at his mother "Thanks for coming". She winks at her youngest son signaling to him she is proud of him - which she is.

He's going out tonight. He always hated going out to parties but forced himself at least once a week...ok once a month, to go out and be social. His life was so busy with dance lessons, drum lessons and playing family physician. Who had time to date? He had no expectations but he glided to his room to get ready. He wanted to at least look nice even if he probably would play pool all night while not noticing another soul in the room. It was his best effort considering all he had gone through. He forced the unwanted images of her out of his head. His khaki pants were crisp from the dry cleaners as he pulled his fleece henley over his head. Checked his teeth once before leaving the bathroom and headed to say goodnight to his children. "Goodnight Daddy" they all chimed in unison. Like a tiny chorus all in tune, their voices cheered him up. They were what got him through the bad times. They gave the inspiration when he really wanted to give up. He had no other choice...when....

"Thank you Mom" was all he said as he walked out of the doorway and into the snowy night. His jeep was already covered in snow again. While he brushed the snow off of his car he continued questioning why he was actually doing this. He really wanted to stay home. As he drove, he played the music on the radio really loud hoping to drown out his thoughts of turning the car around.

As predicted, he played pool all night long. He had one beer early in the night but found his brooding mood just wouldn't allow him to have fun. As he walked into the kitchen to grab another round of wings - he dumped his entire plate onto a beautiful white cashmere sweater. It seemed like an eternity before he got the nerve to look apologetically at the blue eyes which stared back at him in shock. "I...am.....so......" and right as he was about to say "sorry" the young woman drenched in buffalo wing sauce started laughing. Her smile was contagious and beautiful...and as he smiled back at her he realized - it was the first time he had smiled in over a year.

There are times in your life when you see the road turn in a direction you didn't expect.


Remember: Sometimes a ruined sweater isn't such a bad thing afterall.