Lessons Wrapped in a Lunch

Last week I came home after picking my daughter up and did the usual routine which included unpacking my daughter’s lunch bag. As I was doing this everyday task my daughter said to me, “Mom, someone (we’ll call him Bob) said my lunch is garbage.” I then said “oh really” as I was feeling shocked, angry and surprised all at the same time. As much as I think I don’t take things personally, I do. You see I, like everyone else on the planet, is busy! I run a charity, lecture at two colleges, run a business, have a child with special needs, another child and a husband. I try to take some pride in making lunches and yes, I know all about nutrition, for goodness sake I teach about it.

Making lunches for me is done usually in the morning, even though my vision is to do it at night. I typically make a ham and cheese sandwich, but on the “garbage lunch day” I provided homemade pasta with ham in a heated thermos (a step up in the lunch world). It also included, a banana, apple, Bear Paw, Rice Krispy square, a small bag of chips and yogurt tubes. My goal is always to provide a balance of snacks and healthy food, however, getting the job done fast usually takes priority.

I thought I achieved somewhat of a healthy lunch. Truthfully, most fruit and vegetables come back and I would prefer not to even put them in the lunches – yes, I said it! I knew while packing the lunch that morning I could have done better. I was exhausted and in survival mode. My goal was to provide food that could be eaten so my daughter was not hungry – blame that on me for growing up in a European home.

I asked my daughter what she thought she should put in her lunch instead of garbage? She said strawberries and broccoli and less of the junk. Fair enough! I am not removed from taking the messages brought to me and learning from them. I guess it is how the messages come to me is my issue. In my previous annoyed state, I was close to writing a note to Bob and defend my place in life. How dare this person judge me and pass messages through my daughter! Doesn’t Bob know how busy I am, how I contribute to society, blah, blah, blah?

Then I remembered that I should look at the messages that were sent to me in a different way.

I learned that maybe Bob didn’t mean it the way it came across.

I learned that I will never judge a family and how they pack lunches given all that families need to do to survive in today’s society. They really are doing the best they can!

I decided to send gratitude back to Bob even though initially that was not my plan. I am grateful for the lesson because my daughter’s lunches did get healthier and that is a good thing.

I was reminded by Bob to slow down. My hurried life is my issue, I have control over how busy I want to be. I am not a victim. “Slow down” was my message at the end of the day!

I personally want to thank Bob for delivering the message through my daughter, however intentional or not it was. I got it and I am so grateful for having my eyes and ears open to receive the lessons.

Now, I am going to back my daughter’s lunch with a sandwich, broccoli, strawberries and one Bear Paw.