Boy with a Screwdriver

**Update**
The dishwasher has been fixed: it is fully functional although it now requires a little extra hip action to engage the locking mechanism. All relationships are in good order, as well - no hip action necessary.

Anyone who doesn't acknowledge marriage and family life as a path to holiness is out to lunch. Yes: off their rocker, slightly deluded and not the sharpest knife in the drawer. What occasions this declaration? Well, many things; but, in particular, it's the dishwasher. The dishwasher and a couple of boys who shall remain nameless but occupy the first and third place in our gaggle of four. One of them is holding a screwdriver at the moment as his daddy attempts to remedy his wife's best friend. The other is playing trains in the front room: wise to the need to stay out of harm's way. The incident happened last night and it is now mid-morning on Saturday. Thus, both boys have relegated their misadventure to the annals of childhood memory while Daddy struggles with a flashlight, the water supply and a smattering of semi useful tools.

But, how does this all relate to holiness or growth in virtue? Let's rewind to last night, post-supper, post one punishment, pre another one. I can't even remember what the first incident was about. But, I do know that one child had been sent to his room and had only just emerged to apologise and receive forgiveness from one or both parents. Unfortunately the male parent was doing the dishes when this apology was proffered; thus, the resulting dance of jubilation (in which older brother lifted up younger brother and swung him round in a moment of brotherly love which warmed a mother's heart) was a little too close to the dishwasher whose door sat open in preparation for the reception of the remains of supper. Sigh.

One misstep and the combined weight of two brothers crashed down onto the open dishwasher door causing the (newly purchased in July) appliance to tilt forward, spring its door and crack in a sort of irreparable way. Uh oh.

Older boy ran to his room and younger boy remained happily naive of the gravity of his offense. Daddy looked crestfallen and Mommy thanked God silently that it was only a dishwasher and not a limb. And now, dear reader, we arrive at the moment of virtue - the growth in holiness. It is in these little mishaps that our parenthood is sorely tested. Do we lash out in anger, resort to a satisfying smack across the bottom or gather our wits and hope for grace? Because it's awfully hard to respond to grace when one is seeing red. But, he did. Forgiveness was granted and discipline was meted out but it's still hard and it's only a dishwasher. Later on, when the kids were sleeping and a bit more objectivity was possible, I said to Dave,

"You know, one day it will be the car."

He responded, "I don't think I would mind a car as much because we have to use the dishwasher three times a day and at least a car is insured."

To which I quipped, "You'll mind it when it's your first new car ever."

(To which he should have replied, "We will never own a new car. We have an ever increasing family and a teacher's salary." But he didn't; nevertheless, I reserve the right to add witticisms where I see fit.)

So, here we are on Saturday morning. The kids are blissfully unaware of any hiccups in our dishwashing ventures and Dave is drinking coffee while sitting on the floor in front of a partially assembled appliance. And, I am documenting the affair and hoping that we have traveled just a wee bit further along the path to heaven. Pray for us. Monetary donations are also acceptable.