I opened my glove compartment for my registration and there it was- the green rubber nipple.  “Registration please?” the cop reminded me when he realized that my mind was elsewhere.   I handed over the registration and sat impatiently for the officer to come back with the ticket.

I held onto the green rubber nipple tighter as the emotion of my gratitude grew stronger and I began to see even more clearly; the potential dangers that were already inline due to my stupidity.

I almost lost it all; my thoughts continue to pounder my brain.  I wanted to lose behind the agony from the disappointments that have been unexpectedly unveiled from my mid-year review, but I almost lost it all and even more on the 55mph highway.

I started to tremble as I begin to feel the chills of all of the emotions that were now building up inside of me.  I was feeling the coldness from the anxieties that were beating my heart faster, not for the expensive ticket that I was about to receive but for what I almost lost.  I felt the warmth of the tears that wanted to come out and the smiles that wanted to escape from the corner of my lips for the sadness and the joy.

I held the pacifier even tighter as I exhaled out the grievance that was inside of me.  I breathed in and gave in to the little laughter.   I shook my head in agreement to the liberated feelings that I now felt.  I felt good and proud again of what I have accomplished.   I have a happy baby that smiles even at the sound of my voice, “I am a great mother” I said silently to myself as the thoughts continued.

I was smiling almost to the point of laughing as I pictured the little face with the smiles of an angel.  I held the little green pacifier in my hand “thank you,” I whispered to myself. 

When the knocking on my window from the officer woke me up from daydreaming, I realized that I was rocking my head.  I was dancing to the joy and gratitude that I now felt inside.  “Have you been drinking?” asked the officer. 

A few moments later I thanked the officer for the ticket. 

I reached over for the glove compartment to place the ticket but I paused- After being pulled over for speeding, I found my baby’s pacifier while looking for my registration in the glove compartment.   It was just a piece of rubber yet smart enough to remind me that life is bigger than the corporate ladder.