I am not a saint – have never pretended to be one. So it will probably not surprise you one iota to know that I lost it today. But not without reason, for today, my beloved middle child WROTE ON THE COVER OF MY BEAUTIFUL PINK DELL LAPTOP WITH A PEN. AN INK PEN.
And I did not kill him. I did not beat him. I did not even yell at him or give him a guilt trip. I just called my husband and after yelling into the phone for a full five minutes, finally got quiet and listened to his sage advice: do not let him in on your emotional attachment to your computer.
Ouch.
Yes, it’s true – I am attached to my computer. My mother gave us all some money when my grandmother passed away and I spent mine on my very own laptop. It was a big deal when I bought it. I wanted the PINK one because I am the only girl in this family and I wanted everyone to know it was mine! And now it has a poorly written blue “m” on it.
But does it matter to me more than Matthew? Of course not. It can’t compete. It’s just a computer and it will be obsolete in a few minutes, anyway – probably already is. But Matthew – he and I have a long lifetime of relationship that will (hopefully) continue into eternity, depending on what he chooses to do about Jesus. And that’s a pretty big deal.
Matthew was very sorry when I went up to talk to him. He started crying immediately. I pulled him into my arms and said I forgave him. And I was able to say that because I had already forgiven him before I stepped into his room.
I never ever want one of my children to think they matter less to me than some of my “stuff”. Yes, I did lose it today but I am so thankful my husband was the only one who heard me get so upset over my silly computer.
And maybe, just maybe I will come across some magical solution that removes ink from computer lids. A girl can hope, can’t she?
Brittany – grab a Mr. Clean Magic eraser and give it a little rub! I once got SHARPIE OUT OF CARPET with this thing! Of course, then there’s the stick figures drawn on the blinds in our kitchen (4 blinds, one family member on each), that I refuse to clean off because they give me some sick warm fuzzy feeling…remembering the “preschool years”…
Actually the Magic Eraser was the first thing I grabbed. I’ve got a lead on something else to try but I’m not holding my breath. In the big scheme of things, it really isn’t that big of a deal. 🙂