seventy eight

Today I failed. I started a project in haste. I was inattentive when reading the instructions. I measured once and cut twice. I ripped seams out- so many ripped seams! I got frustrated, disappointed and grumpy. I felt like I wasted a day and had nothing to show for it.

And I am glad.

I am glad because my daughters saw my failure. They were witness to my disappointment. They heard my exclamations of frustration and saw me re-measure, re-cut, and re-sew. They knew that I was unhappy with the way things were going. They saw my opportunity to give up.

I am glad because they also saw me deal with my failure. They saw that sometimes I don’t get things right on the first (or second) try. They saw that even though I was having trouble I continued to work on my project. They saw that sometimes it helps to take a break and come back later. They saw that the first plan isn’t necessarily the best plan. They saw that mistakes can be fixed, and if they can’t be fixed, maybe they can be altered. They saw that the projects that mean something to me are worth doing- and redoing- until they’re finished.

Today I failed, and I am glad!