Red Light Moments

My husband’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel as he muttered curses at yet another red light. My anxiety started to climb along with his frustration. So I decided it was time for a distraction.

“Alright, I fess up,” I said. Dane raised a questioning eyebrow as he glanced at me, still grinding his teeth. “I’m in cahoots with the lights. Frankly, Darling, not to criticize, but there’s a real smoochie shortage around here so I’ve arranged for red lights as an opportunity for you to give me more smoochies.” Dane smirked and rolled his eyes. “Oh yeah?!”

“You betcha! Pucker up, fella!” I exclaimed. After lots of sound effects and silliness, he finally gave me a quick kiss, smiling at last.

“Dane, you know I’m on a positive kick these days, right?” I asked him.

“Oh, yeah. I know. You’re trying to practice the Law of Reflection by focusing on the positive side of everything”, Dane said. “I’m sorry that my irritation with the lights was getting to you.”

“As part of my positive outlook on life, I’ve decided that from now on red lights are intentional moments arranged to focus our attention on the beauty around us. I really enjoy spending time with you, Honey, anywhere! Even at red lights! So I’m going to spend the time we share at red lights creating memorable moments with you. Maybe it’s commenting on an intriguing license plate or watching an elderly couple hold hands as they cross the parking lot or admiring the flowers growing along the roadside &ndash or maybe it’s my favorite – an extra smoochie.” I smiled at him as I pointed out the memorable things that surrounded us.

We were quiet as we headed for the next intersection. The light turned red and I thought, YEAH, I get another smoochie! I started my victory dance, taunting Dane about getting chapped lips from all the smoochies he owed me. But the car suddenly slowed long before we needed to&hellip

“Hey, you’re CHEATING!” I exclaimed with a pout. “You’re supposed to give me a smoochie at that red light!”

“I’m just being extra safe.” My tricky husband claimed.

Red lights are now one of our favorite games. Sometimes I get a smooch. Sometimes we point out interesting sights to each other. Sometimes he slows way down to avoid the smooch I’m puckered to receive, leaving both of us smiling and joking.

The Law of Reflection is a powerful thing. What you look for and what you give are exactly what you receive. We have a lot to smile about at red lights these days!