Because one metaphor is never enough

I sent in my letter officially declining my position at school. It sounded like this in my head:

ka-BAAM!!!

Like a big giant door slamming shut. For a minute I sat there and thought, ouch.
And it made me sad. Little One doesn't like sadness. She likes giggles and rainbows and puppy dogs. So She decided to cheer me up by giving me a pep talk. She proceeded to say the most amazing, wonderful, cheery-uppest thing I have ever heard (She may become a motivational speaker when She grows up. She'll probably have Her own infomercials and everything). She said:

Mama.

She said it, and then She kept on saying it, and even when it was kind of like, "waahhh mama mamma MAMMAAA!!!" following me around all whiny because She wasn't allowed to chew on electrical cords, it was still the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. And a magical thing happened, yes it did. All those "mamma"s filled up my ears and swirled and swelled dancing around in my head and just completely drowned out the sound of doors slamming shut.
Sometimes Little One, with Her constant and incredible progress, has a way of reminding me to focus on what's ahead and what's possible, instead of what's done and in the past.
So yesterday there was a door. It's closed. Moving on! I'm now in the business of opening windows.