Air Five

I saw her this morning.

The mom who had just dropped her children off at school and was zooming to the next thing . . . work?  an appointment?  grocery shopping?  post office?

And as she was waiting at the stop sign --  there it was --

a huge, gigantic, face-contorting yawn.


I wanted to reach through our van windows and give her a high five.

Or an air five.

Or, at least, a knowing smile.


I want to be in the business of encouraging each other.

You know what I mean?

Life is hard work.  Whether we are tap dancing in the circus of mothering, swimming through oceans of bills or piles or messes or to-do's, hiking mountains of work, running races of tasks and responsibilities, wrestling with cell phone companies or doctors offices or that darn computer that keeps freezing up . . .  When we're giving our time and energy to volunteer, helping each other, reaching out in love and service . . .  Even things we love to do can be hard work --


It's a gift to be able to look around

and see a knowing smile, a loving wink, an expression of encouragement and support.

To hear "Hey!  You're doing great!"  "Keep it up!"  "Right on!" "Go for it!" "You can do this!"

It's our job -- our calling --

to give those encouraging salutes and head nods and thumbs up --

to bump another rump

       to shake another hand

                to give a high five.

And, if nothing else --

 to send that air five through the miles, through the windows, through the hearts of those who need to hear, "You Rock!  Good job, my friend."


Here's to you, yawning Mommy in the light blue van.

Here's to you.