Some days I could stand in the middle of the room and let out a primal scream that people on the next continent can hear!

I lead a particularly chaotic life.  Not by design, but by matters of circumstance.

99% of the time, I’m pretty laid back, I roll with the punches, and I have a very even-keeled temperament. 

It’s that other 1% of the time I instantly adopt the middle name, “frazzled”.

I don’t know about you, but when I cross over that line from being overly tired to completely exhausted, my next destination is “Crankyville”. 

Ever been there?

I made the trip last Monday.

I awakened to discover my dog had diarrhea through the night (just use your imagination here).  My daughter woke up with one of her infamous and profuse nosebleeds that created an emergency load of laundry.  I knew I wasn’t going to get out the door to work on time.

The phone rang. 

It was one of my co-workers calling to ask why I was late for work.  I responded, “Gee, I don’t know.  I think today should be canceled due to the lack of interest.” 

She didn’t see the humor in my reply.

When I went into the garage, I noticed my left front tire was flat.  I called the auto club for assistance.  That was going to take at least another 45 minutes to wait for their arrival.

NOTHING was going right that day and let’s just say I wasn’t exactly feeling chipper, peppy, and perky. 

Crankyville is not a fun place to visit.

That evening I was scheduled to teach an infant care workshop for another instructor who was ill.  Believe me, after all the events of the morning and then working all day, I really wasn’t in the mood to deal with pregnant couples (they visit Crankyville a lot!). 

But duty was calling.

As people were coming into my classroom, I couldn’t help but notice a daddy-to-be who was bringing his pregnant wife into the room in a wheelchair.  They were an adorable couple and so excited about having their first child!

I realized she was looking pretty tired about midway through the class.  So I suggested we take a short break and give everyone a chance to get some water and go to the bathroom.

During the break I came to find out this mommy-to-be has a form of brain cancer that developed during her pregnancy and it is, sadly, inoperable.  Her baby is due next month.  Chances are great she won’t live to see her child’s first birthday.  I’m praying for her with all my might.

In a matter of minutes …

I made the trip from “Crankyville” to “Humbletown”.