when we got there, the restaurant was almost empty, which is definitely a good thing when youre taking toddlers out. anyway, my kids were actually being good, which is not necessarily always the case. im not saying there were angels, because lets be honest, theyre still toddlers and toddlers are not known for their maturity and patience.
so the finkelstein is super happy and definitely expressing his happiness, in such ways as greeting everyone that walked into the section where we were sitting, laughing (probably a little too loudly), singing with his brother (again maybe too loudly) etc. and while I know he was probably being too loud, it was also happy noises... he wasn't screaming and crying, he wasn't having a temper tantrum, he wasn't throwing food everywhere, he was just really happy.
when were almost done with our dinner, a couple at a table near us is almost done as well, our waiter asks them if theyd like to see the desert menu and the woman says (maybe too loudly) that she cant stand that kid one more minute, clearly indicating my happy child.
at first I was kinda embarrassed, I guess just my gut reaction, but then the more I thought about it, I kinda wanted to punch her in the face. and I wish that I had said something to her... who doesn't like to hear happy baby giggles? I would totally understand her irritation if he had been having a fit or something, because I cant stand that either, and Im a mom of two toddlers. but complaining about a happy kid? and once I got angry I totally wanted to pull the special needs card just to make her feel like a jerk... not that fins special needs really do anything to make him be a little extra loud, BUT my kid does deserve to be happy and to be able to express his happiness, and he shouldn't have to feel bad about it.
so of course I started thinking and over thinking, and I just think its crazy that people expect things to be perfect and just the way they want them to be at all times. life is not perfect. things happen beyond your control and the way you react to them is what shapes how your day, your week, or even your life go. she could've easily turned her head and just said hello to finny, his smile is infectious, she would've smiled back and then maybe she would've been a little more tolerant of his happy overzealousness. you know, I could totally cop an attitude about the hand we were dealt with life and finnys disease, but what good would that do? id be a grump, id be a bad mom and wife, and it would be my own fault that im not happy. but sometimes, if you just force yourself to smile, things don't seem quite as bad. im not saying im happy unicorns and optimistic rick all the time, but I do try. and I will say that if life is some sort of competition, on Saturday I totally won.
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