Beethoven is Beheaded

Yes, it was a sad fate for Beethoven this morning at my house. His small ceramic bust has been on display atop a piano for over 20 years now. I earned him when I was a young girl/teen through several years of a music festival program. His 8 inches paled in comparison to his 18-inch bronze, Mozart counterpart but his pure white and glossy finish gave him an air of distinction. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't enough to save him.

As I was fixing my hair this morning I heard a sickening crash downstairs. I came down to find my son had been swinging a blanket around and knocked him off onto the tile floor. My son was nowhere to be seen (hiding between the couches in the corner) and Beethoven lay perfectly decapitated on the floor. The bust broke in exactly two pieces at the neck with a few chips here and there.

When I called my son he came out to meet me with his head hung low. I asked the four year-old culprit if he was swinging around the blanket. He lifted his chin and said “yes” as his eyes filled with tears and he cried "I'm sorry mommy. I'm sorry." I scooped him up and set him down on the couch while I cleaned up and glued Beethoven back together, all the while listening to quiet sobs and repeated apologies from the couch. He's such a softhearted little tyke.  His reactions are always point on appropriate and sincere. He was genuinely undone by the damage he'd caused and his reaction melted away any anger I had. I love the little guy.

I had to reflect on my own reactions when I make mistakes these days. You know, I think I've grown a little calloused over time. I think my first reaction is to justify, rationalize or find a way to excuse my behavior or mistake and not to show sincere or instant remorse/sorrow. My daughter seems to be doing the same as she's grown in her ability to become instantly argumentative when she gets in trouble for something and it always makes things worse for both of us. This morning I couldn't help but see how much better the entire situation was simply by son's appropriate and sincere reaction. So much was dispelled and corrected in that initial response. Such a simple thing that has such a powerful impact.

So Beethoven was beheaded, but he's glued back together. Things can always be fixed, but hearts are harder to mend. It's a worthy lesson for this mom to remember that. Maybe I can keep from losing my head the next time something bad happens.