In The Shadow Of The Iris

"Jumping to conclusions often results in an unhappy landing"

How often have we found we jumped to the wrong conclusion only to find mud on our faces, humble apologies and sometimes a bruise on our own conscious. 
      

One of my worst jumping to conclusions happened on Christmas Eve. a few years back. It's tradition for us to eat Chinese food as a big family that night, following a rather large caravan to my parents house for a wonderful Christmas Eve party. 

       That evening, for whatever reason, I choose to carry my wallet into the eatery. I sat on the little thing thinking if I was sitting on it I wouldn't forget it. <Lesson learned, forgotten in no time> We had a great dinner, I got up, went out to the car and proceeded to drive to my parents home. 

       It took no less then 2 minutes at their home and I realized I must have left my wallet there. That instant panic, gut punched feeling. I knew I wasn't more then 5 minutes away and flew to my car hoping they hadn't even bused our table yet. When I arrived it was indeed bused. No wallet. 

       I asked if the wallet was returned. Nothing. I asked to speak to the person who had bused the table. I was informed that he had just left, he had some last minute Christmas shopping. I knew there was about $75 dollars cash in my wallet and suddenly that story in my worry, panicked, mind  seemed WAY to suspicious. 

       I of course jumped to conclusions. I also told the people what I thought to be a suspicious coincidence. I also informed them I wanted to wait until this person returned.  So I waited, and he returned, and I confronted, and he denied, and I insisted, and he shook his head, and I pleaded, and he denied. I wrote my name and address, told him he could keep the money, but please return the wallet and all it's contents. 

       Christmas Eve. and all it's magic was gone, overshadowed by what I felt was a horrible injustice, an idiotic mistake on my part, and stolen by someone with no heart.

       Christmas Day. I am driving and my littlest one says to me "Mommy <giggle> are you looookkkkinnnn ffffooorrr youuurrrr wwwaaallleetttt????" I look back at her and she's grinning from ear to ear holding my wallet. Relief and utter puzzlement overcome me. I asked her where she got it and she proceeded to tell me she saw it the night before at dinner on the floor and thought she would play hide and seek with it. 

       I realized with all my crying, whining and ranting the night before, the kids were off playing. She had no idea I was devastated about my wallet. Of course then the guilt washed over me tenfold. That poor boy last night at the restaurant. I had laid blame and although innocent, I had cast a shadow of doubt on his credibility with his employer. I too had ruined his Christmas Eve. 

       I would be lying if I said I didn't think of just simply never going back to that place again. Hide in my own guilt.  To face my own mistake didn't exactly sound like an intriguing solution. But, I laid pride aside and the day after Christmas I was there at opening. Offering my apologies, explaining the truth and humbling myself to the lowest of levels.

       Lesson learned. Learned the hard and humbling way. If I find myself jumping to conclusions, letting emotions override possible solutions, possible scenarios, possible anything. I take a step back, recheck, breathe and try a new perspective. That itself can be challenging, but it's worth the pause to avoid something potentially devastating and Falling flat on your face.  

As always..........just a thought to ponder.............