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Written by Rowonna McNeely – I’ve mentioned before that Kiera is not a morning person. She comes by it naturally. I do not function well in the mornings until I have had a shower and coffee.

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In fact, I have to allow time for my lollygagging ways before I get in the shower. But, don’t tell my husband that I admitted I lollygag in the mornings. I’ll never hear the end of it.

Back to Kiera and her morning ways. I’ve told you previously how we wake her up in the mornings and give her a little time to acclimate before popping her in the shower.

Sometimes, it goes smoothly. Sometimes, I wonder how we make it to school on time.

Last week, we had one of those mornings… and not the smooth kind either.

I had woken Kiera up, given her some chocolate milk and the tablet to try and keep her awake. As Aaron headed to the shower, he checked in on her, only to find her asleep.

“Kiera, wake up, baby.” I overheard him say.

There was an unintelligible whine that came from her room. I can only assume it was her replying that she was indeed awake.

A short time later, it was time for her shower. I coaxed her in the bathroom, where she promptly started to cry.

I hugged her and passed her off to Aaron. He usually handles overseeing her shower in the morning while I finish my makeup. As I exited the bathroom, he hugged her for a moment before he gently said, “Okay, sweetie. Let’s get you in the shower.”

She cried.

I hastily put on my mascara, listening to him try and reassure her while she continued to cry and whine.

Jumping out of my seat, I headed for the bathroom. “I know what you need!” I exclaimed. Grabbing Aaron’s phone off the bathroom sink, I switched it from the Kidz Bop station to a new song that she has been singing the last few days.

She sniffled as she listened to the song but quit crying.

I smiled at Aaron and headed back to the bedroom to finish getting ready.

We have a system in the morning and usually it works well. I finish getting ready while Aaron oversees Kiera’s shower. Then once she gets out, I dry her hair and Aaron finishes getting ready. Because of our system, I listen for the shower to shut off.  This is my cue to have a blanket ready for her to exchange for the towel.

I heard the shower shut off and grabbed her blanket. As I continued to listen, I heard Kiera began to cry.

Aaron said, “Honey. What’s wrong?”

Kiera replied, still crying. “Nothing.”

I stood outside the bathroom door listening. There was a pause and then Aaron asked, “Why are you crying?”

‘Because.” Kiera wailed.

“Then what’s wrong?” Aaron asked patiently.

“Nothing!” She cried.

The bathroom door opened and I saw the puzzled and frazzled look on Aaron’s face. He began to lead her out of the bathroom. “But, you’re crying.” He tried to reason. “There has to be something wrong.”

Kiera stumbled into the bedroom, wet hair dripping around her shoulders, face splotchy from crying. “No! Nothing is wrong!”

I wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and led her to the chair to dry her hair. I glanced at Aaron as he stood in the doorway.

“When she turns 13, I’m moving out.” He stated.

I glared at him. “Not a chance, buddy. Not a chance.”

Thankfully, she snapped out of her morning funk and was her cheerful, sweet self when we dropped her at school. Pretty sure she gave Aaron a few extra gray hairs that morning.

Thank you for sharing in our weekly journeys. If you have missed any of our past stories, check out our new blog page at www.lifea2k.net or drop us a line at [email protected].

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Rowonna McNeely works with her husband, Aaron, at Willie’s T’s in the Art Department, regularly volunteers in the community, and has her hands full with her daughter, Kiera, along with two dogs and one cat.

Rowonna is a graduate of May High School (Go Tigers!) and grew up on a dairy farm. She enjoys reading, creating, swimming, and planning events. She’s also a bit of a klutz.

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