Where Rose Writes Very True Stories

🎃HAPPY HALLOWEEN👻

Sub-Zero, y’all. I love this costume.

He was a major inspiration for Snowman, and I’m trying to write a book where Snowman is a main character, so he’s been on my mind a lot.

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So, exactly one year ago today, I ran over a nail on my way home from work and popped a tire.

This evening, I hit the curb at mom’s house while taking my kids trick-or-treating… whoopsie.

We got out of the car and my oldest asked, “Is there a sprinkler going?”

Curious as to why he’d ask that question, I said, “Nooo…” and turned toward the car…

And I heard a very distinct hissing sound…

My heart sank and I thought, Oh no…

I’d… I’d popped a tire. Again. My boys and I went to inspect it and we could feel the air gushing from it.

Ugh.

I’m sure it will be funny later. I mean, one year apart to the DAY! What are the odds?

But it made me think of last year. When I ran over the nail, I ended up stuck nearly an hour away from home, and I missed my youngest son’s Halloween parade. I was devastated. But I told myself he would be okay. There would be so many people—his dad, his grandparents, uncle, cousins… he wouldn’t notice I wasn’t there.

But he did. The second I finally got home, he saw me and burst into tears.

I thought of him looking for my face in the crowd on his special day, and not finding me there… and my heart just shattered into pieces.

At least this time when I popped a tire, I was surrounded by my boys. I was right where I was supposed to be.

And my youngest rated the day a 21/10.

In a way, it was a gift. Because it let me know that today—I’m right where I need to be.

I don’t know. I needed that reminder today. I can face flames when I know that my beautiful kids are watching for me on the other side of them.

If you ever feel like you don’t matter, know that you do. Know that there are people who look for your face, and would miss it if they couldn’t see it anymore.

Also, please don’t hesitate to tell the people you love, that you love them. You might think that they know already and you don’t need to say it—but you do. Let them know. Make sure they know. You have no idea just how much your love and kindness matters.

📚🌹

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