Just Breathe ...

I was in one of my favorite little tea shops this past week--and they were slammin.' There were just two employees: one seasoned and one new. There were a long line of people at the register (including me) waiting to place "to go" orders. There were also a number of customers seated and waiting on orders. Both employees were scurrying. At one point, the younger, newer one ran a few steps, then stopped. She changed directions and ran the other way. Then stopped. She did this about three more times--clearly overwhelmed and under stress. At that point, the woman behind me in line said, in almost a whisper ... "Just breathe." I knew the almost silent advice was for the younger staffer, but I found myself following it.

I was thinking of her words today. I was having a morning. It started with the familiar exercise of paying the bills--ending with the (also familiar) result of more bills than funds to pay them. Then T & I resurrected our argument about how we should redo the kitchen cabinets. (This is a nearly 4-year old disagreement, which results in us continuing to live with the outdated cabinets we have ... because we can never agree. (Of course, I think that SHE who spends the most time in the kitchen should have her preference!) In an attempt to relieve some stress, I went to run some errands and ended up at Sooz's shop, venting to her.

That's when she gave me this little cabin ... to put somewhere to remind me of my dream place. As I was leaving her shop, I heard that woman's words again in my head ... "just breathe." And suddenly I was grateful again. For Sooz. For friends (and sisters). And I was reminded of this awesome quote ...

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you, long after you've forgotten the words."