This isn’t really a work related post but more about life, balance, and the little things. Since birth Scarlett’s best friend has been Violet. Violet is a purple and pink stuffed unicorn. Scarlett’s favoritism has never wavered between a blanket or a binkie or a toy. It’s always been Violet. Violet, who tough for an infant to pronounce, became known to our family as Vi-Vi. Vi-Vi the unicorn rarely leaves Scarlett’s side; she sleeps with her, eats with her, goes to play group, the park, and occasionally even bathes with her.
After a vacation in Palm Springs two Februarys ago we realized 60 miles closer to Vegas that we’d left Violet in the hotel. Did we turn around, add an extra 120 miles to our trip home, and get her? Yes, of course we did. Otis, this year’s 45-pound Christmas puppy, has enjoyed a few tastes of unicorn. She’s a little worse for the wear 3 1/2 years later – faded, a few rips, and threadbare but still Scarlett’s favorite.
Anyway, two Wednesdays ago Scarlett took Vi-Vi to her hip hop class (yes, three-year-olds learning hip hop). Our post-class tradition states that Scarlett MUST go to Starbucks for a juice box and a treat. Well, Violet somehow didn’t make it home that fateful day. We called the dance studio, Starbucks, library, highway patrol, and animal control. Nope, no Violet the purple unicorn.
Scarlett was so upset. She cried the entire day and night as we frantically searched for her. No luck. Fortunately we remembered the toy manufacturer’s name to order a “new” Vi-Vi, but it turned out this model of unicorn had been discontinued and apparently in creepy furbies world had become a collectors item. I found two new Violets online – both over $100. Scouring ebay, I found one – slightly used – from a woman who apparently didn’t know the pot of gold she was holding and immediately hit the “buy now” button for $17.
To say the next five days crept along as we waited for Violet’s return would be an enormous understatement. The week before Chirstmas we had surprised Ellie (big sister) with Otis (the puppy) by leaving him in a box on the front porch with a red bow, ringing the door bell, and having Ellie answer. New Violet finally arrived. Nice, clean, and good as new. We put her in a shoe box with a red bow, rang the door bell, and told Scarlett someone was waiting for her. The look on her face, to see Violet staring up at her from the tiny box, was … you guessed it… priceless! She was so happy and relieved.
That night Scarlett was ecstatic. She hugged Violet so tight, constantly telling her how much she loved her, how happy she was that she’s home, and that she promised to never lose her again. Without a doubt, the best $17 I’ve ever spent and a moment I’ll never forget.
Last week the 10-year-old nephew of a friend of Holly’s died from a horrible form of muscular dystrophy. He fought valiantly for six years. Two weeks ago he left the hospital and went home to die knowing his organs were shutting down. He spent a week playing video games and hanging out with his siblings and family. We didn’t know him but read his parent’s blog daily and agonized over what they were going through.
Until last month I’d been working from home as we got settled in Austin. Working from home was a challenge, at times chaotic, and not always conducive to a very productive environment. Today, as I sit in my new office and reflect, I got to spend over a year being at home everyday and watching Scarlett grow up. Yep, it’s the little things.
