Tuesday, August 27, 2013


I’m supposed to be doing something.  It was really important.  And I should be taking care of it right now!  It was something I thought about when I was in the shower this morning (that’s when I do my best planning of the day).  It needed to get done today.  And I made a mental note to not forget.  I didn’t bother to write it down after I dried off because, well, because it was so clear in my mind when I was thinking about it.  I mean, it was really clear, and really important, and now it has vanished!  

Ok, let me think about this…  There are 3 things I need to get done today after work:  1.) pick up prescription;  2.) run by the bank; and 3.) ______________________.  Dang it!  What is it??  I FORGOT and it is driving me CRAZY!   I probably have this angry, puzzled look on my face as I walk out to my car after work.   

Now here I sit in my car wondering.  Just wondering, nothing else.  Oh no -- people are going to start looking at me to see why I’m sitting in my car and staring into space.   

As Pooh Bear would say, “Think, think, think.”   

** pounding head a few times on steering wheel now – brain still not working ** 

So I reluctantly take off, slowly down the road to do the other two things.  Everyone and everything else tuned out -- just me, driving down the road, thinking the third thing will come to mind.  It’s got to.  I was thinking about it this morning at the same time I was thinking about these other things.  So it’s got to be stored somewhere close by in my brain.  Surely.   Hello in there, anybody home?” 

Of course, the whole day got in the way.  I’ll blame it on that.  Too many things going on at work -- trying to muddle through problems and putting out fires  -- meetings, phone calls, emails, instant messaging, conference calls.  Yes, the whole day got in the way of my mental list of things to do.  It’s no wonder I forgot!  I start scolding myself for not writing it down.   I want to hit myself in the head like the V-8 juice commercial.  (“Wow, you could have had a V8!)  Except for me, “Dummy, I could have been smarter and written down what I needed to do!” 

I got to the pharmacy, made it to the bank and headed home.  I felt defeated.  I knew I was in trouble.  I pulled into the garage and closed the garage door.  I sat in the darkness with only the small, soft glow of the light on the garage door opener.  It’s completely quiet and the garage is hot and muggy, but I still sit and ponder.  

After a few minutes of feeling totally defeated, I decided to go inside and make my son supper, get through homework with him, and get his clothes ready for the next day.   

**small light bulb starts to flicker in my mind**   

**clothes – school – son **   BINGO! 

I was supposed to pick up some new gym shorts for my son – before 6:00.  I did it – I remembered!  Oh geez!  I have 20 minutes before the store closes.   

Open garage door – back out quickly from garage and take off down the road like a mom on a mission!  Watch out people – got to get to the store before it closes!  It’s another day in the life of a mom.  But I remembered!  Yay!  I feel proud that I made it to the store right before they closed!  I should get a mom metal or something!  Bought the shorts, got back in the car, blew the hair out of my eyes, let out a sigh, and headed back home…  this time a lot slower, my mind drained by now.  But I feel this sense of accomplishment!   

Mom’s don’t get stickers, brownie points, or rewards for remembering to do a good job…  or do we?  I walked in the door and greeted my son and handed him the bag with the shorts.  I actually got a ‘Thanks Mom!’  Aaahaa!  There’s my reward!  And that’s all I needed!!  I smiled and awed in the ‘Thank You’ moment.  It truly is the little things in life that matter the most! 

So that’s my unforgettable, forgettable  moment!  I say that like it’s one single moment in time, but in truth, this isn’t the first time, nor will it be the last I’m sure.     

Lesson for the day:  Write it down!  Make a list!  And don’t forget to say Thank You when you know someone has gone the extra mile!  It can make all the difference in the world!

No comments :

Post a Comment