Yesterday was one of those days you hate to have ... or at least I hate to have them. My elderly mom was out for her weekly beauty shop appointment and some other errands and while out encountered car trouble. Bummer! I hate when things go wrong for her, hate when she gets scared and feels so alone during a crisis. This happened as I was wrapping up my day at work, getting ready to shut everything down, and few people were still around to answer the company phones. My mother called my brother who also was unable to reach anyone. I shut my cell phone off when I am at work ... obviously I'm going to have to work something else out to make certain I can be reached in case of emergency.
To make a long story very short, my brother finally decided to just drive over to my place of business (about five minutes away) and speak to me in person. Putting our heads together we quickly formulated a plan of action and took care of Mom. (I'm the oldest son now; if that gives privileges they must be few, while the responsibilities remain many.)
But my mother, even when a young woman, never really handled stress and crises well. Calming her down is a very nerve jangling affair. It was yesterday, still running into today. Few things can upset me as much as trying to deal with Mom when she is in emotional overdrive. Before the day was over not only was Mom a nervous wreck but so was my brother, and I was also fairly chafed over it all.
Something I have found helpful in dealing with these stressful times of my life is to listen music. No matter how upset I get, now matter how low in spirit I might sink, music always - as William Congreve wrote - "has charms to soothe a savage breast."
A good melody can lift my spirits, a happy song can make smile, music can soothe my nerves and give me that warm feeling inside, can make me Doug again.
Thank goodness for my CD player this morning!
Obviously this isn't the post I intended to write, but I need to go listen to some more music. Hopefully Mom's car will be repaired and back to her later today. Then all I will have to worry about is the tow fee and repair bill. That I think I can handle at least somewhat gracefully.
I'll try again tomorrow to post something of general interest.
Update: Mom's car needed a new starter and was ready for me to pick up by 9:30 a.m. - but before I could do that I had to stop at the pharmacy and get her something for her bowels, which were out of control from all the stress! I delivered her car to her shortly thereafter (along with that familiar pink bottle of medicine). So, all's well that ends well, and maybe the Panic Button will be ignored next time something like this happens. It sure would save a lot of wear and tear on everyone's nerves.
As for me, I did go on to enjoy some music as I waited for the mechanic's call. After all that was taken care of I came back home for a snack and more music before my 2:00 appointment with my hair stylist. I had plans to take my gal pal out for lunch afterwards, but she didn't feel well and took a rain check.
I think I'll listen to some more music.
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8 comments:
I love music and agree, a definite stress buster. Few things can relax me like music does. Music for every mood too...it can be equally exciting when you need a pick me up.
When it comes to stress from a car breaking down, I remember hearing when I was younger that when your car breaks down you can go crazy, stress out, yell, scream, cry or you can remain calm...either way you are still going to have a car that is broken down. That worked for me, I don't go crazy when it happens. I just deal with it and save myself the drama.
What Shannon said.
One of my coworkers complained that the job was driving him crazy. I said, 'That's not a drive, that's a putt.' (I failed the Dale Carnegie course!)
BTW, the classical piece Canon by Pachelbel can be very peaceful and soothing if you are in the mood to receive it. If not, it can be just boring.
Music is definitely a essential part of my life. Both my children and my hubby play instruments. It helps keep me in shape, because I can't workout without listening to a good tune. My mother suffers from diabetes, due to excessive weight gain and being inactive. I made a CD of her favorite songs, in hopes of getting her to workout too. Music is also inspiring.
@ Shannon - Car trouble is one of my least favorite things to deal with - but all must deal with it from time to time or walk. Ever notice how it happens at some of the most inopportune times?
@ Exrelayman - I absolutely love Pachabel's Canon, so much so that I learned to play it on my guitar. Very soothing.
@ Rainlillie - Hey, how have you been? I didn't know you had such a musical household. You mention that music can be inspiring. So true. I've bucked myself up many times by listening inspirational pieces. (Mostly, though, I seem to need soothing.)
For reasons too tedious to explain, I'm currently without any means of listening to music in my home. I plan to rectify that situation soon because I certainly miss listening!
@ Paul - I would miss it, too. Terribly. Usually I just pop a CD in my computer and let it play softly in the background. When I'm doing housework, a little music is a necessity.
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