Ever have one of those days? You know, the ones in which everything seems to go wrong. I had one recently.

I woke up feeling a bit sick but still had to wake up and get my kids ready for the day. I had my annual physical scheduled that day, too, so I had to get myself ready for that. Knowing a good blood pressure reading was paramount at this visit, I opted to skip the coffee, which brought about a slight headache.

I was running about five minutes behind (a pet-peeve of mine) but dutifully followed my GPS to the doctor’s new office. I pulled into the parking lot, parked the car, got my son out, and walked toward the entrance. There was an odd sign on the door reading, “If you are looking for the primary care facility, this is the wrong building. Please use the following address in your GPS.”

Knowing I wasn’t the only person to make this mistake was comforting, but I also knew I’d be be 15 minutes late by the time I got to the right place. I called the office and let them know I was at the wrong building but on my way in. When I arrived, they informed me I was too late. I’d have to reschedule my physical. But if I wanted to wait an hour, I could do the blood pressure portion of my appointment. I agreed.

I was frustrated. I was mad at myself for being late. I was mad that they couldn’t fit me in. I was mad that I’d have to kill an hour, 25 minutes from home. And I was mad that I took off work when there was plenty to be done. I sat down with my son in the waiting room. I sent a text to vent some of my frustrations. And then my son and I walked across the parking lot to the grocery store.

The Rose, Albeit With a Few Thorns

We perused the aisles aimlessly. We chatted about the things we’d seen on the shelves. We told each other a few jokes. We selected a couple of snacks and drinks. Then we sat in the car for a while eating our snacks, playing with the radio, and laughing at each other. In one of our laughing fits, I came to the realization that this was exactly how the day was supposed to go. My son and I had some wonderful one-on-one time. I was fully present with him. And we were joyful. Who cares why we were having this moment? We were.

Then we walked back into the doctor’s office for my appointment, and my blood pressure reading was low. So low, in fact, I now have to monitor it. And I may have to reduce my prescription intake. This was exactly how the day was meant to happen. Had I gone into that appointment an hour earlier, there would’ve been a much different reading.

It’s like French novelist Alphonse Karr wrote: “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” I’d prefer to rejoice as opposed to complain.

It was one of those days. You know, one of those days in which you go to sleep at night knowing you’re right where you’re supposed to be.

As my partner and friend, Mark O’Brien, says. “There are no accidents.”

Ain’t that the truth.