Here is a story for you about how one of my desperate prayers was answered. Sorry if it's kind of long. It was an emotional couple of days for me, so I wanted to include the details.
Tootie's preschool class didn't start for about 3 weeks or so after his 3 older siblings started school. That turned out to be a LONG time for him to be without playmates or places to go. As we only have one vehicle, and that vehicle goes to work everyday with Dad a half an hour away, Tootie and I were for the most part homebound. Tootie was getting pretty bored, and I struggled to come up with enough entertainment for him and still keep a balance in my day for myself and all of my other wants and needs. (Taking Dad to work frequently so I can have the car has not been a feasible option for various reasons).
I had a bit of a breakdown one day. I was worried about both of us, and wondered how we would ever rectify our situation without our getting another car to give us freedom to go out and about. There is nothing super close to our home, the stores where we shop are all 1-3 miles away. All I had to help transport Tootie was a red wagon. Plus, I had misunderstood the location of his preschool--I thought it was 5 miles from us, so I really wondered how we were going to get him to and from preschool 3 days a week without burdening someone else to transport us (later I found out I just had the wrong address).
I prayed that night, very sincerely, that the next day would be better for us. That we would have something to do, that Tootie wouldn't be bored, and that I could feel satisfied with what I got done in the day. I was pretty serious about these requests, and hoped that Heavenly Father would somehow help me. Hoped He'd help me meet Tootie's needs and bless me with some relief from the stress.
The next day, I decided I would brave the streets and see what that little red wagon could do. I set Tootie up with some snacks, a hat to protect him from the sun, and I decided we were going to head out to the pharmacy where I needed to pick up a prescription (about a mile and a half away), and then we would head over to the public library to have some fun (a little farther still).
The walk to the pharmacy was hot and tiresome. The wagon + a 40 pound boy + lots of hills + no proper shoulder on the road turned out to be awkward and challenging for such a distance. But we made it. And, although I felt too beat to continue all the way to the library, the pharmacy turned out to be a blessing in itself. Inside the store, there was a little waiting area for kids, with lots of puzzles and toys. Tootie and I played there for I think at least 20 minutes before heading out. It was fun. Then right outside the pharmacy, across the street, we spied a jungle gym that belonged to an apartment complex. "Can we play there, Mommy?" "Sure!" I replied, and I was so glad that for once I wasn't thinking "I hope he doesn't make me stay longer than I want to, 'cause I have places to be." I was grateful for the playground--the first one we had found in our town, so far, since we'd moved here. There, we had lots of fun with caterpillars--"a whole family of them." Fun!
As we headed home from there, I made the most significant discovery of the day: we walked right by a Lutheran church...one that happened to have the same name as the place I knew Tootie's preschool would be. I inquired within, and sure enough, it was his school, where his classes would begin in a couple of weeks. Why was I so excited? Because I realized that his school was not 5 miles from my house, it was only just over 1 mile from my house. It was walkable! I wouldn't have to bum a ride! If I could just find a stroller on craigslist or something, I'd be all set. We played at his new school's playground for another 15 minutes before we headed home. I almost cried as I pondered how much more mobile I felt with Tootie that day, and how independent I could be without a car. And how at least this day, as I had requested from Heavenly Father, had been so much better than the day before. Pharmacy task done (without a car) and waiting room puzzles completed, caterpillar family adventures, playgrounds discovered...pretty much a wonderful day so far.
And then can you believe...one of my neighbors was throwing away a perfectly good stroller the following week? I asked, and they said I could have it. Blessing!! It's in great condition and it's working out perfectly for the trek to and from preschool. So much easier than pulling the wagon. I push him there, leave the stroller, and jog home 1.2 miles. Jog back an hour and a half later, and bring him home in the stroller. Perfect. And if it rains, I have learned I have 2 neighbors with kids in the same class who are more than happy to give us a ride. Awesome.
Now the preschool classes are in full swing, Mon/Wed/Fri. Until we get a second car, I feel we are going to manage just fine. The extra jogging time to and from the school complements my exercise routine perfectly. We spend plenty of time together at the playground each school day before coming home, and Tootie is so happy. I feel I'm living with a more relaxed, slightly less productive schedule than before, but the important things are getting done, and I am not as stressed. I am going to enjoy these next few months with just Tootie and me at home...my last school-year months of having a small child at home all day (or almost all day). Thank heavens for our stroller, for Tootie's preschool class, and for my ability to run a few errands whenever I need to--without having to beg rides. Why, today I even was able to walk to the bank and the post office, which are just up the road from the preschool. I love that I can be car-less and still do a few things! And I loved my happy, healing day, receiving all the blessings that I had asked for. Thanks, Heavenly Father.
