I had been anticipating my return to work with the same enthusiasm as a death row inmate facing the electric chair. Pondering the projects, events, e-mail backlog, and the other stuff that go along with my job, I couldn’t help but to feel overwhelmed and apprehensive about heading back to the office.

This morning, I stayed in bed until the very last second and grudgingly moped around as I got ready for work. Shortly before I was set to leave, my stomach tied itself into a dozen anxiety knots and the subsequent trip to the restroom set my schedule back a good 10 minutes.

Whenever Hubby is home, he will walk me out to my car and see me off. Today was no exception. Before I left, with the engine idling, Hubby stood outside my car and peered into my open window. “Remember, try to go in with a good attitude,” he said, far too chipper for 7:30ish in the morning.

I grunted in response.

I was half-listening when he gave me some other advice about being positive and sent me on my way with a kiss and a “drive carefully, I love you.”

Hubby is a smart man and often plays the part of my conscience. He gives me perspective and balance. As I drove off, I thought about what he said and made a conscious decision to change my grim attitude. I lifted a short prayer for the day and listened to Chuck Swindoll on the radio as I hit the tail end of the rush hour.

When I arrived at the office, I was greeted warmly by co-workers who looked genuinely happy to see me. Faced with the piles of paperwork on my desk and 200+ e-mail messages awaiting my attention, I felt a little overwhelmed this morning. But I took things one at a time and by the afternoon, through diligent effort, a “good attitude,” and an absent boss, I was able to get caught up. Honestly, that’s nothing short of a miracle.

I managed to make it through the day without feeling like I was going to have a nervous breakdown. In my opinion, that constitutes a “triumphant return.”