Thursday, September 24, 2009

Paranoia and Vinyl Stickers

Paranoia can be a positive thing. Right? I have to believe that it can.

I recently shuttled my darling girls to school, arriving with time to spare before the bell.

I am in the habit of stopping the car right in front of the kindergarten gate- so I can watch middle daughter enter her classroom.

This particular day, there was no spot for me by the kinder gate, so I pulled up to the curb- several car lengths back.

Middle daughter jumped out of the car after so graciously bestowing her sloppy kisses on my cheek. And her little kindergarten self was away so fast that I barely had time to blink. My instinct was to call her back so that oldest daughter could walk her up to her classroom, but there was no time- she was off.

So I watched her little princess backpacked back as she skipped merrily away. And then I was granted more wet kisses from a little 2nd grade cutie as she jumped out of the car and met a couple of her little girlfriends with hugs and off they skipped to the playground.

When my attention finally turned back to the little kinder girl, she was nowhere in sight. Immediately I started wondering if she had in fact made it to her classroom. And then I started taking mental note of every car in front of me. Believing that it was totally conceivable that anyone of them could have snatched her up and taken her while I was busy bidding adieu to my 2nd grader.

I noted the truck, with the annoying high-heeled devil/angel silhouette vinyl stickers on the rear window. Am I the only one who doesn't like those? I have to believe there are others out there who don't particularly fancy them. And do they have a name?

And I checked where the teachers on duty were standing. My rational side kept assuring me that for sure she had made it into her class. Don't worry.

So I drove home and tried to put it out of my mind- my rational self trying to convince the paranoid self to just let it go. But I couldn't. I kept running the scenarios in my mind.

All I could think of were the stories about people in terrible situations and in retrospect, proclaiming that they should have listened to their gut.

And so I surrendered. And I called the little kindergarten classroom. And asked the teacher if my little girl had indeed made it into class.

And she was there. In her desk. Safe.

And I was relieved. Paranoid, but relieved.



***my sincerest apologies to the husband who never knew that our middle daughter was presumably kidnapped until now. because i could not bear the embarrassment of telling him about my paranoia. also, i didn't want to reconfirm to him that i can be a little silly sometimes. really, i can- hard to believe, i know. and i guess i was a little paranoid that he might be a tad bit upset if i lost our daughter. i would have told him. eventually.




10 comments:

Michelle said...

Although this was only a side-note to your post, I will tell you that those devil/angel stickers really bug me. A lot.

And I love the imagery that you use. I can just visualize the whole event unfolding...

Alicia said...

I am so glad I am not the only one like this!!! Roland thinks I am way too paranoid. I can't help it though. It comforts me that I am not alone. :)

Anonymous said...

Phew! I'm so glad she's safe!!!

Nathan said...

The other night, I checked the door locks three different times because I couldn't remember if I had already checked.

I may or may not have also dragged myself out of bed to look.

We should start a club.

Ritsumei said...

You are definitely NOT the only parinoid one. Nor the only one that doesn't like those devil stickers. Kuddos to you for actually calling the school: it's a good-Mom thing to do when you're worried about them, but it's the sort of thing that you have to expect to take some abuse for. I mean, the NERVE, making sure that your little ones are safe.

A girl who loves princesses might like the barrettes I'm giving away on my blog. I'd love to see you stop by.

Mechelle said...

it's always better to be safe than sorry. I walk Zach to his classroom, maybe next year I'll feel confident enough to drop him off on the curb.

I don't like the stickers either

Loralee and the gang... said...

I would have called the school, too. And I make sure my kindergartener is safely inside the building before I drive away. Can't be too careful - I don't think you are being paranoid.
(Do you think I am? heeheee)
:~D

uniquelynat said...

won't comment on the paranoia...we've talked about it already. but i will say that when i see those stickers all i can think is that guy must be some greasy perv. just my thought.

Me (aka Danielle) said...

I don't think you are paranoid. Doing that would be admitting that I am paranoid, and I can't do that!


As a side note...HATE THE devil/angel stickers. I think they are.....what's the work? Umm..RANK and offensive!

Anonymous said...

Im paranoid like that too but in other situations. I tuck the kids into their carseats then keep checking to make sure they are there before I pull out. Never hurts to be a little paranoid!

I have some stickers on my van but not any character ones..