As I have witnessed yesterday the agony of waiting among the long line of cars, I crept through traffic at the time.
Left work early so I can enjoy my child’s performance in school – sadly, time allotted was not enough.
All had left.
Lights were turned off.
Parking lot’s almost empty.
Gone out the car with water stinging my eyes.
Hair lashing my hot face.
My child inside my hubby’s car waiting for me.
While we were all geting emotional, my ever-comical toddler ‘broke’ the moment by shouting, “Pee!”
Rushed back to the school’s bathroom.
Afterwards, greeted by few remaining school staff, one I recognized as the principal, we stopped by to chat. His teacher, whom I only realized later on after, was all praises for my child, particularly for filling in for one who didn’t make the event.
With the principal citing the promising future of my child with a phenomenal imagination, intensified by the teacher’s efforts by lending books above grade;
That small, maybe insignificant, moment for the teachers, is enough to make me mewl.
But enough mewling!
Today is not for the soft-heart.
Brave the freeways tonight.
Pack your COOLers (get it?).
Make your favorite playlist extra long.
Pack your blues, jazz, rock ‘n roll, or whatever gets you going.
Hoard good vibes all day.
Double up on those party socks and let’s get this party on the road!
**My butler teased me this morning that I look like a CHP officer with my slacks and tall boots on.
Marissa Bergen said:
Yes, it’s a shame that sometimes work prevents us from capturing a lot of those precious moments but we just can’t beat ourselves up about it. I recently got an hour added to my work day (now up to 30 hours a week) and just found out that my office is moving to a location further in the valley (commute from Burbank). I am sad that I will have to miss out on even little things like picking up my daughter from school but hopefully will be able to support them in other ways now that they’re getting older.
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M.Winter said:
I explained to my kid and he understands. Still, the guilt is there. I kept telling myself that I should’ve left earlier than planned.
It may be a small thing now but when kids grow up, sometimes these small things (like picking them up from school) are remembered most.
We can only do as much and I guess we just have to spend more ‘quality’ time together with them! Like this long weekend. Hope you and your family have a safe and great one!
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Marissa Bergen said:
Well apparently on one of my daughter’s birthdays I didn’t have a little cake to give her for breakfast so I gave her a bagel and she never let me forget it!!! Oh well, she’s only 8. Hopefully it won’t lead to life long trauma. What more can we do but show them we love them?
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M.Winter said:
Hey it’s a story worth telling. Maybe she’ll find it funny years later. We’re only human after all
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Marissa Bergen said:
If only they realized that!
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M.Winter said:
Years later… it’ll be talked about in reunions!
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Pingback: Pack Patience This Memorial Weekend
mikesteeden said:
I once got to my youngest lad’s school for the Christmas play only to find he had refused any and all parts offered to him save for the rear end of a donkey…yet the young gal at the front end released an almighty fart in his face that ensured he refused to even entertain making up the back end for the second half! It was thus that the little girl who was now dressed as a two-legged donkey with slack behind cried rather a lot and the whole thing was an absolute disaster!
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M.Winter said:
Good for him! Who wants to be on the receiving end, anyway?!
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mikesteeden said:
Fine riposte – liked it!
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Island Traveler said:
Congratulations to your son for his amazing performance. Sorry that you missed seeing his show. I too sometimes missed my son’s events as I have to work night shift. Always a blessing when I do get to see them as I know this moments will never happen again. I always tell my wife, please do get lots of pictures and take videos, at least that way, It’s like I was there too. Of course, we celebrate it the next day, as soon as I am off work. Happy Memorial Day. I worked the entire weekend but off today. Will be at the pool so my son can swim and play with my friend’s kids. We’ll be grilling burger patties too and some BBQ.
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M.Winter said:
Thank you. We did celebrate afterwards especially I was home earlier too. My husband got videos and pictures. But the best is asking my son how his experience was. I like to see what the video does not capture (like he reminds everyone to face this way or that way)
Yum! Bbq makes everything better. Of course, next to being with family.
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