Mother's Day in the 21st Century

Today is Mother's Day and I am having a grand time.  I was able to sleep late, take a wonderful walk alone with my own thoughts and prayers, had a wonderful brunch prepared by my honey, received flowers from my girls, and beautiful cards - some store bought and others made by hand.  I feel loved.

I didn't feel so loved a few days ago when Kim and I attended Madison's last parent/teacher conference of the 1st grade.  As we stood waiting outside the classroom for her teacher, we read the stories displayed on the wall in the hall.  We gathered the assignment was to write a story about a time when you were injured or hurt.  We read several before we came to Maddie's.  And I nearly died.

Madison wrote a story, complete with pictures, about the time she was hit by a bus while I was texting.  She apparently broke bones in her whole body and was rushed to the hospital to be filled with air again.  After she recovered from being hit by a bus, I sent her home with a policeman to babysit.

Kim was laughing.  I could hear that clearly, but my heart was racing and my stomach was in knots.  Was I really reading this horrible account of an event that never took place in the public hallway of the public school?  Yes, I am a foster parent, a safe haven for traumatized children, and my own child is accussing me of allowing her to be hit by a BUS!  I couldn't breathe. 

The absence of air was apparent to the teacher, who immediately assured me Madison wrote a piece of fiction.  You're damn right it's a piece of fiction!  My child has NEVER been hit by a bus as a result of my texting and I have NEVER sent her home with a stranger to babysit!  I was horrified!  Her teacher went on to tell us how creative Madison is.  No kidding!  How could I leave this hanging on the wall outside the classroom for God and everyone to read when all the other children wrote non-fiction pieces??!!??

Between Kim and the teacher, I calmed down.  I was actually able to listen to the wonderful stories of progress Madison has made during the 1st grade.  I was pleased to see her journal entries and reading comprehension scores.  She is still struggling in math, but we have lined up a tutor for the summer to keep her on target.  I was actually feeling good about our meeting and had nearly forgotten about the bus incident.

As we walk out of the classroom, I see the parents of Madison's friend, Lilah, standing in the hallway.  They have the next appointment with the teacher.  It takes all of 30 seconds to realize they are not just standing in the hallway, but laughing in the hallway.  Yes, laughing at Madison's story the way Kim had laughed and I had gasped. 

I'm glad I could give other parents a good chuckle.  Believe me, this is one writing sample I will never forget!  Just like the time I told my pre-school teacher that my dad wore a nightgown to bed after reading The Night Before Christmas for the first time.  I am sure that pre-school teacher was thinking pretty and lacy rather than long and cotton like in the book.  Oh well, Madison and I share a flare for creativity and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Happy Mother's Day!