True story. Really, it is.

As usual this morning, we began our journey to the elementary school just across the street. I wish it were that simple. You must first cross a dewy ands grassy knoll- all while pulling a wagon occupied by a three year old in pajamas eating a toaster stick. So while holding my oldest daughters hand and using the other to lug 33 pounds of toddler plus the wagon – we did just that.

We made it safely down the grassy hill to the intersection where we crossed the main road-still holding hands and pulling the wagon. Crossing the intersection, I sighed in relief as we made it to the sidewalk that leads right to the school.

So far, everything had gone smoothly. George, our cat, did not try and follow us to school. The smallest had not cried yet. The oldest had both her lunch bag and back pack in tow with an extra dollar for the snack cart. And well, I wasn’t covered in sweat – yet.

Yes, it seemed to be a perfect morning. I just should have known it was too good to be true.

As I have learned, there are the rules of the “road” when walking, biking or scootering to school. It is a narrow sidewalk bordered by a fence with heavy greenery protruding from it, so it doesn’t permit two lanes of pedestrian traffic. From what I have gathered, those heading to school seem to have the right of way... or so I thought.

So, we have the crossing guard in sight and then it happened. As we were making our way there, he approached. I saw an older man of a not so slight build walking alone in the middle of the one way sidewalk.

Assuming that he would step aside for the Mom in gym shorts, bright orange Crocks lugging a toddler in a wagon holing the hand of a Kindegartener, I continued on the sidewalk. As we got closer, I realized he was trying to make a point and was certainly not intending to step aside to let us continue on. So, the Mother duck and pure stubbornness in me-and abiding by the rules of the road, I decided to take the challenge. We too continued straight.

So, we kept walking towards each other. Our bellies almost collided as stood in front of us and yelled “EXCUSE MEEEEEEEEEE…” He abruptly stepped aside muttering some things under his breath that I prayed my children didn’t hear. I politely said, “How rude.”

I simply shook my head in disbelief. A father passed us shaking his too saying how sorry he was that someone acted like that.

I could only assume that grizzly man either didn’t understand the rules of the road, was born with no manners or was simply just temporarily or permanently miserable. Either way, I was grateful to be living my life and not his.

I can say that when we reached Bob, the beloved older gentleman that is our crossing guard, he more than made up for Grizzly. His smile and kind words simply cancelled the tyranny that had occurred minutes before. We made it safely to school and then after dropping the oldest off at her class, turned around to head home.

Life sure is like that too. It seems to me that the negative aspects of our journey are there to teach us –to challenge us-to make us stronger than we knew we could be. And the positive- to teach us appreciation for all the wonderful people, places and opportunities that surprise and surround us on this great, big and amazing journey.