Better luck NEXT TIME

THE ODDS SEEMED STACKED AGAINST JEREMY’S OLDEST GIRL – UNTIL HE SNEAKILY CHANGED HER FORTUNES

- JEREMY CORBETT

A few months ago, I picked up my daughters from school and noticed the elder, Charlie, was a little out of sorts. Knowing children have no interest in communicating with parents immediately after school, I waited the accepted five minutes of dad-being-silent driving time before I started prying into her mood.

I asked her how she was feeling, and she replied she was rather upset because, and I quote, “Adam won the draw for the bracelet and the pencil.”

Sensing a learning opportunity, I launched into a lengthy explanation of how we should feel happy for people like Adam. “Imagine him being overjoyed to have won and seeing you being all gloomy. Turn that negative into a positive, turn that frown upside down,” and other such platitudes.

I gave her a few moments to digest my sermon, absorb its nutrients and revert to happiness.