The Day My Child Lost Her Joy—and What I Did to Revive It

In an especially chaotic rush out the door to go on a family vacation, I sat in the passenger seat fuming. Mad because:

  • I didn’t have time to put the dishes in the dishwasher.
  • We were late getting on the road.
  • The garage door was acting up.

I’m talking trivial, insignificant, minor inconveniences here, but that was the state of a distracted woman who could no longer see the blessings, only the inconveniences, of her life.

Before we were about to pull out of the driveway, my husband looked at me as if someone he loved very much had died. In a barely audible whisper he said:

“You’re never happy anymore.”

I wanted to defend.

I wanted to excuse.

I wanted to deny.

But I couldn’t.

Because I knew he was right.

Where had that happy woman gone? The one:

  • Who smiled at people she passed on the street just because.
  • Whose friends often spoke of her positive outlook on life.
  • Who felt happy simply because she heard her favorite song or had a pack of strawberry Twizzlers in her purse.
  • Who could laugh off mistakes because mistakes happen, and they are certainly not the end of the world.

Where had she gone?

And that’s when I glanced to the backseat to see if my children, then ages six and three, had heard my husband’s words. Staring back at me was my older daughter picking her lip with worry the size of a small boulder weighing down her small shoulders.

As she pinched that tiny piece of fragile skin on her upper lip with wide eyes, I could practically read her mind:

Mom’s mad.

Mom’s tired.

Mom’s stressed.

But there was more. I could practically hear how a young child would interpret her mother’s unhappiness.

Mom’s mad at me.

Mom’s tired because of me.

Mom’s stressed because of something I did.

That’s when an even more powerful question hit me.

Where had my happy little girl gone? The one:

  • Who woke up with the most gorgeous bedhead and good morning smile.
  • Who beamed at the words “sprinkler,” “cotton candy,” and “pet store.”
  • Who laughed so hard tears came to her eyes.
  • Who licked beaters with sheer pleasure and danced happily to any song with a beat.

Where had she gone?


Rachel Macy Stafford
Rachel Macy Stafford
Rachel is the New York Times bestselling author of Hands Free Mama and Hands Free Life, as well as a certified special education teacher and inspiring speaker. Millions find solace and direction in her weekly blog posts at handsfreemama.com and supportive Facebook community. The Hands Free Revolution. Rachel’s latest work of heart, ONLY LOVE TODAY, is soulful, bite-size encouragement for busy individuals yearning to anchor themselves in love despite everyday distractions, pressures, and discord. “Only Love Today” began as a mantra to overcome her inner bully, but it is now the practice of Rachel Macy Stafford’s life. It can be a practice for all of us with Only Love Today. This National bestseller is available at Target, Barnes & Noble, LifeWay, and Amazon.

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