SO EMBARRASSING

Dear Cheryl,

Thank you for not giving me the reprimand I probably deserved after you brought me my son, whom you had to stop from running out in the street. When I start talking, I get distracted and sometimes I lose track of CJ (ask the umps from Bryce's intramural softball games). I know, Mother of the Year, right? I think I'll ask Santa for one of those toddler leashes...not so much for CJ's sake, but for mine. Do you think he'd hate me? Anyway, thank you for your understanding smile as you handed me my winded toddler (obviously from running up the stairs, out the door, and into the unfenced front yard). And thank you for listening to the Spirit who told you to go upstairs. The question is, why didn't I feel that prompting?! Probably because I was too enveloped in discussing, what? I don't even know. Cheap flights? Anyway, it's not like you don't already do enough. The kinder-music class you offer as a service to moms is incredible and I'm sorry that today I was that mom who expects others to watch their kid. I promise, I'll try not to let it happen again. 

Humbly, 

Paige

Dear Tiffany, 

Thank you for letting me borrow your phone to call my husband after I locked my keys in the car. Even though your super hi-tech medical phone thingy went way over my head and you had to do everything for me, from sending a text to dialing the stinkin' number - and I'm sure I was much more of a burden than you let on - I really appreciate you sticking around after music class so that you could help me get things figured out, even though you have two kids of your own and had things to go and do. And thank you for not getting annoyed with me for parking so awkwardly behind you when I got to class. You had to practically grease your car up in order to slide it past mine and the other car parked on the street when you left. You were a lifesaver and your help really meant so much to me!

Sincerely, 

Paige

Dear Bryce, 

Even though I know you were annoyed, thank you for not making me feel like a total idiot when you found out that I had locked our only Honda key in the car, and that on that keychain was the key to our locked townhome as well. Even though we both knew that the only other way to open the car was the clicker, which was inside our locked townhome, and that the only other key to our home (besides the one locked in the car), was also locked inside our home on the keychain that you usually have (but not today), you so thoughtfully bit your tongue. And thank you for even trying to take some of the blame by saying that you knew you should have taken those keys today even though you didn't need them.
Regardless, we both know that I was just being a huge ditz when I unlocked the car door, put the diaper bag (which had my cell phone) and keys on the seat, pushed what I thought was the "unlock" button to open the back door for our kids, and then shut the car door again just as I realized that I had actually pushed the "lock" button. As I stared dumbfounded at the keys on the seat, knowing that only a 1/4 inch of glass separated me from my dignity, I wished there was a rock big enough for me to crawl under.

So thank you for using your break between classes (and even missing a class too) to come and rescue your silly wife. Thank you for the sweet smile that you met me with when you arrived to pick us up, and for your warm hug to let me know that you didn't mind.

Thank you for sharing that great apple fritter with me as we waited for the landlord to unlock our townhome.

I love you!

Paige

Dear Jim,

Thank you for being such a great landlord! I'm sorry that I'm too lazy to get an extra key or two made that we can stash somewhere for just such occasions so that we don't have to drag you from Cheney just to unlock our front door. Thank you for not complaining or even giving a hint of inconvenience, and thank you for trying to not accept our small token of appreciation (even if you were just feigning :) who doesn't love a good gift card to Starbucks?! they have great hot chocolate and apple fritters). Someday I hope to live up to all the tenant-potential I may have!

With much appreciation,

Paige

Dear Mattie and CJ,

Thank you for being so patient with Mommy today. CJ, you sat so quietly on Sis. Shirley's couch as we waited for Daddy. Granted, you were eating a sucker, which you fortunately finished only minutes before Daddy came to pick us up, but you didn't touch anything with your sticky fingers - thank you! And Mattie, thank you for choosing to sleep through the whole ordeal. I know you were starving and absent-minded Mommy locked your bottle in the car with the keys. We both know how upset you would have been had you been aware of this dire situation, so I really appreciate you keeping your opinions to yourself and simply sleeping like an angel.

Love you two!

Mommy