Ah, yes.  One day I will look back at this and laugh.  So, why can’t that be today?  Ever find yourself just a wee bit frustrated, while those around you (usually children) are terribly amused?  Of course, this only adds to the intensity of the moment.  It seems the more we try to control the outcome, the more out-of-control the whole situation becomes.

Yesterday our family attended a wedding, which of course means that two predictable dramas unfolded: the preparation of getting dressed and the taking of the family photo.  Whether I like it or not, weeds grow fast, which means trying to keep teenage boys in pants that fit is a daunting task.  The challenge is heightened when trying to locate wedding-appropriate clothing.  So, once we arm-twisted them into the attire, we had to seize the moment and take a picture of the rarely occurring event.

Though I was patient at first, I soon lost that virtue and slipped into dictator mode.  My intentions were good, but the means to that end didn’t help the situation.  At one point, I had four boys walking in four directions, all independently laughing uncontrollably.  The phrase “herding cats at a picnic” might provide you the best visual.

I know the clothes my kids wear aren’t a huge issue and I’m certain candid photos are better than staged ones…but in the moment I had a hard time remembering these things.  As I have said on countless occasions, it is easy to see crazy when you aren’t the crazy one.   If only I could have heeded the advise of Paul McCartney and just Let It Be.  Letting It Be means I need to take off my cruise director hat and find my place among the passengers.  Perhaps then, will I be in a better position to see the humor and laugh, knowing that laughter, indeed, truly is the best medicine after all.