Paying the Price

Sometimes I forget my daughter Makenna is only 5 years old.  She is so smart it is often like talking to one of the students in my college classes.  Today was an excellent reminder.

She came home from church this morning and wanted to eat PLEASE JUST ONE PIECE OF CANDY???  PLEASE????  I said one piece was fine, not even sure what kind of candy it was, because I was dealing with my own consequences at the time, which we will get into later.  Later, as I went into her room, I found a box of candy in her room, one of those theater size boxes of junior mints, that  I KNOW was almost full last night.  When I asked her how much she ate, she was reluctant to tell me, finally saying she ate just one piece.  I told her she better not be lying, and with further investigation, she revealed she ate "a lot of pieces."  Now how was I to deal with this obvious bout of lying and deceit.  I mean, today it's candy, tomorrow it could be my car.  ( I wouldn't put it past her, though she assures me she is too short to drive every time I tell her it's her turn at the wheel.)  She got a swat and no TV for half an hour.  She cried inconsolably over the lack of her movie.  I told her that actions have consequences and she would just have to pay the price.  At this she cried even harder saying, "But I don't have any dollars!" 

I have to say I almost lost it right there.  I wanted to laugh so much.  I had to explain the expression to her and finally she understood the price she was paying was her punishment.  But I was thinking today that maybe I was too narrow in my description.  I made it seem like all consequences are punishments, and they obviously are not.

Look at the price I am paying now for quitting school 11 years ago.Seems like not the greatest idea, right?  Right up there with stealing junior mints.  But see what I got.  I had a great career in the Air Force that I truly loved.  I met someone who was very important in my life, which led to the birth of this wonderful, beautiful child that I absolutely would never give up for anything.  I met people who will be a part of my life forever.  I now am in school at a time when I can appreciate what I am learning, at an exciting time in politics and history. Is the price too high for making that choice so many years ago?  Absolutely not! 

Of course I did have to spend several hours today transcribing notes that I have put off doing for the past two weeks.  That is one price I would rather not have had to pay today.....It would have been nice to go outside when the sun is not scorching for once.