We’re Rich!

So, my friend wrote a post titled, How to be Rich When You’re Broke AF and it really got me thinking this week. By the way, you should go read it, she’s super talented!

We are rich and in more ways than one!  I know what you’re thinking, what the heck? Who brags about that?  Well, let me make myself clear, if you looked at our bank account, you would not label us as rich.  This week, a lot of great things happened that made me think about this.  Although we live contently and comfortably, we are by no means monetarily rich.  However, we are rich in so many other ways.

Over winter break, Oakley was congested and had a cough, so I thought I would take her to the doctors before I went back to work to get her checked out.  The doctor gave me a baby Benadryl and after a day or two, I realized it wasn’t helping at all.  I went back to work and I scheduled Oakley another appointment with a pediatrician my friend recommended.  She immediately suspected that Oakley had RSV and when the test came back positive, I cried.  She gave me a hug and told me everything will be okay.  I just kept thinking to myself, this lady must think I’m nuts as this was the first time I had ever met her.  I also told her that I am a little behind on getting Oakley her shots but every time I’m off work, Oakley has been sick.  I also told her that Arkansas has the worst maternity leave and every time I miss a day, I am docked a ridiculous amount of money, which is why I took her in the week before school started.  She told me to come in at 9 on the next Saturday that she was working.  Fast forward a week and a half later, and Oakley and I were on the way to her checkup.  I called the doctor’s office because I was running a little late.  The receptionist was so confused and explained to me they don’t make appointments on Saturday, they don’t do wellness visits, and they definitely don’t give shots on Saturday.  I explained to her that the doctor scheduled the appointment and told me to come in on this day at this time for a checkup and shots.  She said, “Well bring her in and the doctor has the ultimate call.”

When I got there, the nurses were super friendly like they were the last time even though they had to work on a Saturday morning.  The doctor came in and said okay, let’s see how she’s doing.  She proceeded with the check-up, we talked a while, and then she told me that the nurse would be in to give her her shots.  I stopped her right there and I said, “You know, I didn’t realize you were doing me a favor by letting me come in this Saturday, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.”  She said, “Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m a working mom, I understand.”

Andrew and I tried a couple of different churches when we first moved to Arkansas and found one that we really liked.  Then, it seemed like life got busy and we got out of the habit of going.  I know, I know, there really isn’t any excuse.  Anyway, I had been thinking about going back but hadn’t for no apparent reason. On Facebook, the pastor’s wife commented on one of my pictures and I wrote back saying, “we really need to come to church!”  Then, Oakley’s babysitter chimed in with, “ You can sit by me and if Oakley gets upset, you have an extra pair of hands!”  I responded by saying, “See you Sunday!”  Well, we ended up going to church Sunday morning and I found myself wondering why we ever stopped going.  It’s my favorite church I’ve ever gone to and a great start to our week.

That brings me to my next point, Oakley’s babysitter.  She is truly a godsend.  I met her at my friend’s bridal shower and we instantly clicked.  I was so worried I wasn’t going to be able to get in with her but thankfully, we did.  It makes going to work so much easier knowing that Oakley’s in good hands and being loved on as if she were her own.  While Oakley was sick this past week, she texted and called to check up on her and said if I needed anything to just let her know. The thing is, even though I would never call her in the middle of the night, I know if I did, she would be there because she loves Oakley that much.

I guess my point of this post is, even though our checking account doesn’t deem us as rich, we are rich in so many other ways.  We are rich by having a good pediatrician.  We are rich by having a church we both feel comfortable at and enjoy.  We are rich by having a babysitter that loves Oakley immensely.  We are rich in more ways than one.  Sometimes, it’s obvious and sometimes you have to search for it, but if you look hard enough you’ll find it and the more you look, the easier it will become to find ways you are rich.