Monday, March 24, 2008

I Feel Stupid

We had such a wonderful Easter, the kind of holiday that makes you grateful to be alive. And I don't just mean because of the cake.

Seriously, it was perfect. It was such a shame to follow it with a goofball mistake.

This morning, I still had a couple of babies to play with, except that one was asleep because we kept her up late last night. After babysitting, I headed to work on another gorgeous spring day, and I must have been in a bit of a hurry, because suddenly I saw this little black car with some really cool-looking blue lights zip into the lane behind me. "How pretty," I thought.

Then, in a fraction of a second, my brain went into denial mode. "That’s not a police car—it's not black and white. Surely they don't want me—they must be after someone else." Honestly, it's amazing what you can tell yourself in the instant before you admit that you made a mistake.

Anyway, this very serious police officer pulled me over and gave me a speeding ticket. It just didn't seem right—I haven't gotten a speeding ticket since I was in my early 20's, and believe me, that was a long time ago!

So, I felt really dumb and extremely embarrassed about the whole thing. I almost called myself an idiot, but then I remembered what our granddaughter, The Fred, says about such matters. Occasionally, DH will say "I'm so stupid," and whenever he does that, without fail, The Fred admonishes him, replying, "Don't say that, Grandpa!"

This philosophy stood me in good stead today, when I was feeling a little humiliated. I reminded myself that I had a nice, long track record of not getting a ticket (whether or not I ever deserved a ticket during that time span, which I vehemently deny here).

It's a wise two-year-old who tells us to be a little more gentle with ourselves. I'm glad I know her.

6 comments:

Lady R (Di) said...

If only we could turn back the hands of time. Usually, we realize also in that split second, that we are doing something we usually don't do! Sorry Mr. Policeman didn't see his way to warning you this time. Oh well, don't sweat the small stuff. Lady R.

TS said...

Yep, my brain was trying to go back in time, but it didn't work! Well, on a good note, I have been very aware of all the speed limit signs today.

Anonymous said...

I'd say one ticket every couple of decades is a pretty good record. I got my first ticket--ever--last summer from an overzealous officer on a Virginia interstate. Even though everyone told me it wouldn't do any good, I wrote a nice, polite letter to the judge contesting the ticket and got it dismissed. Never hurts to try.

TS said...

And you, my friend, are an excellent writer! Feel free to fax me a copy of that letter!

MommaDrool said...

I'm so sorry! At least you didn't get caught speeding by an aircraft : )

TS said...

Oh, I'd forgotten about that. You know what? It's not us--it's the green car!!