As a new mom I remember being flummoxed by small children who wilted every day at about 4 o'clock. I am embarrassed to realize how long it took me to catch on, considering the consistency of the problem.

One day I was with another, more experienced mother and her children, when she whipped out a snack just before the time my kids were scheduled to flop. We were at a park, which meant that a few hours ago she anticipated their needs now. She unpacked crackers with peanut butter, apples, and watermelon. There was even enough for my kids, which was helpful considering that I had skipped the chapter called "Preempting Your Toddler's Mid Afternoon Meltdown with Food". It worked. All of the children sailed through the rest of the afternoon. I sometimes think of that friend when I am savvy enough to pack carrots and nuts for a trip to the playground. Because no matter how well I fed the fam on Tuesday, they seem to get hungry again on Thursday. Apparently hunger is a recurring condition.

I appreciated this woman's acceptance of the needs of her children. They needed nourishment, not retribution.

Last night I went to bed feeling.... empty. I could not figure out why. It had been an acceptable day, certainly nothing traumatic happened. 

This morning I woke up and opened the blog I subscribed to called 365Grateful. I was still not enthusiastic, but managed to click on the link to a Ted Talk about Gratitude. I watched, and felt my thirsty spirit fill up, like the paper whites on my table when I go too long without watering them.

Relationships need mid afternoon snacks too. The billboards on I-95 try to sell synthetic ways to add pizzazz. But for me, skimpy clothes and vodka add about as much nourishment as pop tarts. 

I just hope I am smart enough to pack ahead.