Magnetic Pull

Originally uploaded by laundrylessons.

It looked like a slug attacking the washer. As I passed the laundry room the black blob caught my eye. Stopping in my tracks to investigate the possible slimy creature, I stoop, examine and breathe a sigh of relief when I realize it is only one of the boy’s magnets. These super strong magnets look like rocks and have the ability to cling to each other. The magnets have found their way onto all sorts of interesting metal objects. I’m not sure if they creep around themselves or are flung off the fingertips of wiry boys, but they are strong little buggers. I reach for the magnet and tug to release it from the washer.

Recently, I saw a list of things you should do to stay young. One of them pulled me like the magnet: Keep only cheerful friends. At some vague moment in my life, positive forces aligned and I realized negative people repel. Like those amazing science experiments in third grade, my particles scatter around someone’s negative polarity. When I encounter crabby people, contrary to what they may think, their complaining does not draw me in. Don’t get me wrong, I have a big heart, some would even argue for my compassionate nature, but I don’t care to hear the whiny details of the horrid transgressions committed against your son on the soccer field or how your time has been sucked up by too many tennis lessons. The stuff we complain about is laughable.

Recently I’ve been down about Merritt. Those of you that have read here know that my fourth child is severely disabled and functions with as much enthusiasm as a speed bump. And when she isn’t lying around, unable to move on her own in any manner, even to hold her head up; she cries. The crying wears on us. After six years we are no closer to understanding what her cries mean. Well, except the 3:00 am cry usually says, “I’m hot, take my covers off”, or “I’m freezing. What’s wrong with a little heat?” Some would contend that I have something to complain about.

And trust me, sometimes I want to. Yesterday was the first time in a long time I admitted to some close friends that caring for Merritt is draining. But guess what? I have darn cheerful friends. They didn’t dismiss my issues, but we were able to laugh and enlighten each other. Negativity is toxic. Really, it releases bad stuff in our bodies. Merritt’s life, no matter what capacity she has, shouldn’t be lived out in the negative. She can’t talk so I have to. Most days I get it, but when I can’t be up, I find one of my cheerful friends. And I’m blessed because they pull me in and don’t release me until the negative charge is neutralized.