Some days, if it CAN go wrong, it WILL. How we handle these days defines our character.

My alarm rang at 4am. The was the first day W would have to be at work instead of the market. We would be a crew of three. I looked at my phone and discovered a message from one of our workers, saying they didn’t think they could make it today. Uh oh. The entire season we’d been training the helpers for this day. I sent them a message saying I REALLY needed them today. They said they’d be there.

I loaded up the car, thankfully not forgetting stuff. Yes, I’ve forgotten important things before – the cash box, the iPad, whatever. It happens.

I always text the helpers to let them know I’m leaving, so they’ll be ready. If they don’t respond, I start calling. After a few calls, helper #2 answered. I had woke them up, but they said they’d be ready. I picked up 1. Picked up 2. We stopped to get drinks and ice. Went to the market.

When we arrived, the trailer had a flat tire – a problem for later. I remembered the correct key to unlock it (thank goodness!) and we began unloading. The appliances kept kicking off, so I had to engineer the lines to the generator to get everything going, all at the same time. Yesterday’s menu was the lamb meatballs in a vindaloo sauce over rice. I had decided to bring the rice cooker and cook the rice while we were setting up. While setting up, the rice cooker took a dive off the table, mid-cycle. I had only brought enough rice for 2 batches – no extra. So, I picked up everything and headed to the market kitchen to rinse the 2nd batch of rice and get it started. Later, one of our fellow vendors ran to the store and grabbed me a bag of rice – we are blessed to be part of such a great community of people. (THANKS BECKY!!!!)

Set up took longer than usual with a missing team member, so I was working on the “specials” sign at the last minute. We opened and the day began. It went by in a blur, but it was windy. 4 jars of jam blew off the shelf and broke. The only break I took was to run to vendors to pick up orders of ingredients for future meals. I didn’t even have a moment to take pics of the food or post on social media.

We saw many adorable children and dogs. We spoke with many people. We laughed. We enjoyed the beautiful (albeit windy) day.

When noon arrived, it was time to tear it all down and put it away. I was helping the Market Manager when the helpers decided to take down the canopy. A gust of wind blew in and one of the canopy legs got bent. OUCH! We managed to get it down, folded, and put away, but it will have to be replaced. I’ve already placed the order today, so it will hopefully be here later this week. (SIDENOTE: When we ordered the old canopy, it arrived as a huge air hockey table that we had to return, cancel the original order, and place a new order. I’m hoping that doesn’t happen this time!)

We locked up the trailer, aired up the tire and went to lunch. Taking time after the market to sit down together and enjoy a meal gives us all a chance to decompress. We went to Sam’s after, then headed to drop of #2. I’ve been giving driving lessons to #1, so we ran some errands, then came back to the house to drop off everything in my trunk. Our daughter stopped by and hung out for a bit, then #1 and I logged some more drive time to get them home.

It was a long day, filled will hiccups and a little stressful. But, it is what it is. The rice wasn’t finished by the time we opened, but people graciously waited and were patient. Everyone was kind today. Nothing that went wrong was anyone’s fault. Stuff just goes wrong sometimes. We keep on going, with the best of intentions. The world isn’t out to get us. Patience goes a long way.

On my way home on this very long day, I saw a beautiful sunset. I took a moment to snap a pic and document the moment. There’s something beautiful in every day – we just have to look for it a little harder some days.