Life's Little Messes #1

Life is full of little messes.

Here’s a little mess that’s interesting:

It was Saturday morning and Dad’s in charge.  Mom was out with girl friends at a movie, Dad approved!

Alan (4 years old) wanted, demanded juice.  

Dad, desirous to simply keep peace and not have a complaint filed with Mom when she got home, ran to the refrigerator to grab the OJ.  

Oh, he noticed the OJ was behind something—BUT he didn’t realize it was an open gallon of milk.  He thought, “I’ll just reach around and …”  

YOU got it, the milk spilled as the OJ bumped a stack of  leftovers (a large bowl of English peas stacked precariously on top of last night’s mashed potatoes. Back story:  Mom was tired the night before and really meant to go back and put the food in storage containers, she simply forgot).  

The white liquid and peas quickly covered  pudding cups, a bowl of Jell-O, today’s sandwich makings (sliced cheese and ham) which Mom had carefully prepared to make Dad’s day fun!

As Dad watched the milk run down the top wire rack he caught eye of the open jar of strawberry jam as it became a red milk shake.  Meanwhile the margarine tub became a  perfect lakeside resort complete with yellow mountains and green beach balls.  It was real mess.  

Dad said, “THIS IS NOT MY FAULT!” and slammed the refrigerator door.   

Alan, now crying, could not figure out what he had done wrong.

Oh a small fact:  There are six people (three teenagers) in this house and they all put STUFF in the refrigerator.

I agree,  the responsible thing would be to cheerfully clean it up, and Dad is cleaning it up, but his day wasn’t the same!

So here’s today’s question.  Who is responsible, Dad, Mom, or both?  Alan?  

Mom for not storing the peas, or Dad for being in a hurry.  

Let’s take a couple of weeks and simply unpack the dynamics of this little story as we consider “Life’s little messes!”