Have you ever had one of those mornings when you feel like you're on top of everything (lunches for the little ones, hubby out the door to work, older kids organized for the day) and then all of a sudden the world around you seems to fall when your child in the back of the car says, "Oh no, it's the Christmas assembly today and we're supposed to be dressed in something Christmassy today!"
As I looked in the rear-view mirror, I saw my little angel sitting in full school uniform without a stitch of Christmas reference on her person. As I drove down the driveway towards school, all I could see is a sea of bobbing Santa hats as the other children made their way to their classes.
I did what all of us would do at that moment ... I said, "Honey, I'll be back before assembly starts." All the while I'm praying that the shop will be open, that they will have something and that I will get back, as I promised, before assembly starts.
As I tore out of the school driveway (minding the 40km/h zone) my mind raced. Do I go to the supermarket and hope they have something appropriate or do I go to the new Christmas Lights store up the road and hope that they carry more than lights? I knew that the Lights store probably didn't open until 9 a.m., but I thought it would be my best option ... The Lights store won!
As I stood outside the shop, hoping that it would open early, I saw another car race into the car park. I wondered if this was another mother in the same situation? As she made her way to the store window I could tell that I was not alone! So Barbara, thank you for being so normal and reminding me that I'm not alone trying to remember 100 things a day that don't directly involve me and for simply loving your children so much.
Our story gets better. In conversation, I mentioned to Barbara that I hoped they took card (most places have a $10 limit on cards so I had already accepted the fact that I would be leaving the shop with things I didn't need in order to buy the $3 hat I required). To my question Barbara quickly answered, "don't worry, I have cash." How great is that - I love women on a mission, especially when it involves their children.
The store finally opened, Barbara and I rushed in and found what we needed. We found the cutest headbands in the shape of reindeer antlers with bells on them and little brown ears sticking out the side (so cute!). We knew our little ones would LOVE them so we both took one and headed to the counter ready to pay. Barbara confidently handed over her $50 bill at which point the shop assistant asked if we had anything smaller. Barbara and I instantly froze thinking, we need these antlers and we don't have anything less ... panic, what were we going to do?
I think the girl behind the counter could tell how desperate we were and being an understanding girl (maybe a mom herself, I'm not sure) she politely said, "you can just have them, that's fine."
Barbara and I were both extremely shocked by her kindness - almost speechless (sadly this kind of stuff doesn't happen that often anymore) so we emptied our change on the counter leaving her with approximately $2.95 and a HUGE thank you.
We both jumped in our cars and headed back to school. On our way back, we found ourselves side-by-side on the road. Barbara was signalling to me that we both needed to breathe deep, I was signalling to her how I wished the bus in front of us would make way for two mothers on a mission.
We arrived just as the classes where filing into the auditorium for the assembly. Barbara raced to her daughter's class and I raced to mine. We made it ... and the look on our children's faces was so worth every second spent.
As we left the auditorium we gave each other a high-five, breathed a sigh of peace and knew exactly what the other was thinking ... we were great moms today. Yes, we both forgot something important but we didn't let that get us down (I believe that guilt is highly overrated). Rather we changed directions, focused and made the reindeer antlers a priority.
So to my new friend and mother who is determined to be the best mom for her children - this one's for you Barbara. You inspired me today and reminded me that all the crazy things I do to make life great for my family are worth it. Thank you for being great and for caring!
Susan J. Sohn
susanjsohn.com/thefamilyroom
blogtalkradio.com/susanjsohn
