Three Little Birds

At fourteen years old I found myself on a bus at 6 AM heading off to my first of five Saturdays of Ski Camp.  I do not remember asking to be signed up for camp.  I was never particularly athletic and my first foray into skiing at age 8 was not much to my liking.  I suppose I must have asked in a teenage, well everyone else is going, moment.  So there I was, seated next to my 8th grade sweet heart slowly turning green with worry.  I knew that I would either be alone on the bunny slopes or desperately and dangerously trying to keep up with him.  An hour or so into the bus trip he took his headphones from his Sony Walkman off and handed them to me.  "Listen to this, it should help." he said with a grin.  That was the first time I had ever heard Bob Marley, and more specifically the first time I had ever heard the song Three Little Birds. 

Don't worry about a thing
Cause every little thing will be alright...

For some reason that moment was forever added to my memory.  It was the perfect song for the situation, so catchy and so happy sounding.  Today as I was tackling some household chores Three Little Birds came on the radio and the memory returned.  I smiled thinking about that day, but I also started musing on worry.  If only it was really that easy.  If only we could just not worry.  If only every little thing would be alright. 

My mother has been recently tending to a friend whose husband was in a horrible skiing accident.  (of course this validates my skiing fears)  He has been in the hospital for close to three weeks now.  She was commenting on how overcome her friend is with worry for her husband.  I doubt that song would cheer my mom's friend up, she doesn't know that every little thing will be alright.

Why do we worry so much?  We know that worrying will not change things.  It only serves to stress our selves even more.  But most of us, most of the time, can't keep worry in check, especially when something big happens like an accident. 

Worry has been on my mind lately as I have watched Caroline's worries spike in the form of her chewing on her hand.  She will not tell us what is bothering her.  Her poor little hand is getting raw, so I gave her a rubber spiral bracelet to wear and chew.  I also loaded her back pack with gum to chew as soon as she is out of school.  The bracelet seems to help, but she got teased about it the first day she wore it, so I am not sure if it is a success or more like we are treading water. 

I was chatting with two friends today at Kindergarten pick up.  One of them told me that the teacher was commenting on how all the kids are regressing right now.  Apparently it is common at the end of the school year.  I never knew this.  The kids are anxious for summer vacation to begin.  They are also hearing a lot of,  "when you are in first grade..." and the idea that their fun filled Kindergarten days are coming to an end is pressing on them.  They are going to be big kids soon!  And for some odd reason, this makes them act like younger kids.  There is more crying, fidgeting, questioning, and in our house hand chewing!  

As I made lunch for the kids today I was singing Three Little Birds to myself.  Caroline heard me and said, "Oh Mommy I love that song!"  I must have played it for her at some point.  I looked at her and her sweet little hand and sighed.  Worry is a part of life, there is no doubt about it.  But if you reach out to others or they reach out to you, it really does make a difference.  My mom is making a difference to her friend by being there 24/7 for her.  My friends helped me today by sharing a developmental tip I knew nothing about.  And years ago a simple song made me calm down enough to make it through ski camp. 

Maybe we just need a little more Bob Marley around the house for the next few weeks.  Three Little Birds and a lot of gum.

Don't worry about a thing
Cause every little thing will be alright