Remember the film Sliding Doors? It explores the life of a woman, portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow, through two alternate timelines: one where she catches her train and another where she misses it. The story dives into the themes of chance, destiny, and the paths we take. While the movie may not be a cinematic masterpiece, I have a soft spot for it.
Right now, I feel like I’m living my own version of Sliding Doors. My daughter, Mia, was set to start school yesterday, but due to Hurricane Alex, the entire school was closed—on the very first day back from summer break.
Like many parents, I had been eagerly counting down the days until school resumed. Not because I was looking forward to early mornings filled with lunches and homework, but because I desperately needed to focus on writing my book, which has become nearly impossible with the kids at home.
So, when I heard the news about the school closure, I was in disbelief. It felt like an elaborate prank. I know we are fortunate—our family is safe and our home remains largely intact. Still, enough is enough, Mother Nature!
As I went through the day, I couldn’t help but imagine how things would have played out if school had opened as planned. I would have dropped Mia off at eight, discovered who her teacher was, and where her locker was located. I would have attended the boys’ orientations an hour later, meeting their teachers and seeing their classrooms. After that, I hoped to sneak in some writing time while the kids played together. That was the plan.
Instead, we all slept in. While I should have been preparing lunches, I was snuggled up in bed with my boys. We went to the zoo with friends instead of attending school events. Later, when I would have been chatting with other parents about class placements and sports, we indulged in my favorite ice cream. We even took one of Mia’s friends home, while Ben enjoyed a playdate of his own. The day ended with us all sharing pizza while the kids played joyfully.
It turned out to be a delightful day—perhaps even better than the routine I anticipated. However, school is closed again today, and we’re in for another round of unexpected adventures. I have to admit, I’m ready for the kids to be back in school. Enough of summer fun!
Additional Resources
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In summary, while we may not always follow the path we expect, sometimes the detours lead to moments that are just as rewarding.