Life Savers

I had one of those restless, nightmare riddled, mostly sleepless nights last night.  I intended to get right up this morning and make breakfast and lunches for the kids, but instead I kept hitting snooze until 5:45 and then only got up to make sure my two Seminary kids got out the door.  They did.  And I fell back into my bed for another hour and then only woke up to unlock the door for them at 6:45.  I'm pretty sure they all had breakfast.  I intended to get dressed after they left for school.  I intended to put on some lipgloss and look presentable.  I even made a little grocery list and intended to sneak a quick trip to the grocery store this afternoon.  

But at 11:00 when my den leader companion came over to plan the next few months of Webelos activities, she was greeted by a tired, pitiful, jammie-clad friend.  We planned for TWO hours and I thought I might fall asleep right in the middle of the Sportsman requirements.  

And then there was a sweet email from a friend reminding me that I would "feel better before I am better" and offering to substitute for me in Cub Scouts tomorrow afternoon.  My first thought was to politely say, "No, thank you," but then I thought about the instant relief that I felt when I considered not having Cub Scouts tomorrow.  (And it's also one less day that I have to wear that hideous uniform.)  So instead of graciously turning her down, I graciously accepted her offer.  She will be helping to monitor the Basketball Belt Loop and the Marble Belt Loop tomorrow.  

Later this afternoon another thoughtful friend texted and declared that she would be saving me a trip and picking up Megan from her UIL Orchestra practice.  I didn't even hesitate on that one.  Holy cow, it's only 5:00 and I'm exhausted.  I'm ready to crawl right back into my bed and try again on the whole sleeping thing.  

I'm unbelievably overwhelmed today (probably because I'm tired) and so grateful for the thoughtful friends who threw me a life line today when I would not have asked for one.  

Isn't it crazy that we do that?  Why don't we just pick up the phone and ask for help?  I know that if either one of those women called me and said, "I just can't manage it tonight, could you please substitute for my calling or bring me dinner or run to get me a diet DP,"  I would not even think before I said yes and grabbed my car keys.  Without hesitation.  So why is it so difficult to ask them to do any of those things for me?  I don't know.  But apparently I have a few more weeks to learn to graciously accept help from those Life Savers in my life.  I'm so glad they're persistent.  And I'm so glad to have a few extra resting hours in my week.