Hide and Seek

First, let me apologize for the ad for suede shoes showing up on my blog posts via Facebook.  I do not know how it got there and I am trying to figure out how to get rid of it.  (The Dragon strikes again!!!!)  I am open to suggestions! 

I also apologize for missing a few weeks.  I always thought I would gain freedom when my kids grow up.  Instead I seem to be in even more demand!  It's okay, I am not complaining but sometimes it means I cannot get to things like my blog.  Really can't complain since they are my source of topics!

I think that one of the most frightening things that a mother goes through as she raises her child is when she can't find the child.  The little buggers are very clever at scaring their mothers grey!

Do you remember the days you used to go shopping for yourself.   You were able to shop luxuriantly, browsing at clothes, maybe trying on dozens of outfits, slowly selecting shoes and admiring them in the mirror, wondering if they make your legs look more attractive.  You may even have wandered through stores, simply looking and even pausing to have a glass of wine and lunch with a friend. 

Do you remember going on vacations before you had children?  Lounging on the beach, sightseeing, reading a book, fancy dinners at fancy restaurants. 

Then you had children . . . . shopping expeditions were quick and painful.  There was always someone screaming.  Maybe it was your child, probably it was you.  They touched everything they passed by, pulling clothes off the rack while the stroller brushed by.  You didn't dare give them something to eat to keep them occupied because you knew that there would be a streak of whatever that was on everything you passed.  They would cry and scream to get out of the stroller.  There were always false promises to behave and stay nearby.  You would finally relent and let them out.  They were clever about it too.  They stayed nearby just long enough so that you would let your guard down.  And then . . . gone!  Panic ensues.  Your heart starts pounding and you immediately know that you are the worst mother ever.  While you were selfishly shopping, your child was kidnapped.  And in the middle of nearly screaming and fainting, you suddenly notice the clothing rack wiggling and giggling.  Yes, your child has decided to hide within the clothing and play hide and seek. 

Or, you take your beautiful children to the water park.  The whole family, your brother's family of three children and you and six of your children are "enjoying" the pool.  Your six year old is climbing across a pool of water on pretend icebergs while hanging on to a rope, when your brother looks at you and says, "I didn't know Pook could swim."  But he can't.  Hmm that's a problem as he is climbing across water that is at least six feet deep.  You try to convince yourself not to panic, and race to the pool to remove your son.  When you have finally not relaxed enough, you decide to gather up the gang and leave the water.  You brilliantly hang on to whatever parenting skills you have left and instruct your children to clean up after themselves and put their towels in the nearby bin.  This is the first time that you realize that the Blonde is directionally challenged and it is a disability that will haunt her forever.  She walks away to put her towel in the "dirty" hamper.  Time for a head count.  Where's the Blonde.  Again, you try to convince yourself not to panic but your sister in law loses control and is convinced the Blonde has been abducted.  She finds someone in authority and the park goes on lockdown.  Minutes later the Blonde comes walking over with a smile while chatting with a very handsome blonde lifeguard.  You and your sister in law find a place to get a glass of wine!

We do manage to survive these events don't we?  We even manage to chuckle a little when to teach them a lesson, we hide from them and smile (just a little) when we see their panic.  Gotcha!!!  I thank God every day for the blessing of the Guardian Angels who have been assigned to watch over my children.  I also apologize frequently for the endless work that our Guardian Angels do.   Have a blessed and safe week.