Yesterday I needed milk and eggs and a few other things and thought I could make a quick trip to the local Pick'n Save to get them. So the 3 kids and I got what we needed and found the shortest line at the checkout counter. But the lady in front of us forgot a turkey, so she had to run back to get a turkey, then she didn't know if she wanted everything that had already been bagged from her 2 full carts of food so she thought about that for a minute, and then there was a ham that had been set aside, she thought she'd might get that, maybe not, hmmmm.... decided to get it. They paid!
They left one empty cart behind them, that was now in front of me, so as they slowly walked forward I slowly pushed the cart forward. I won't lie, by this time I was extremely frustrated, extremely frustrated. The grandma, who was probably in her 70's thought she'd look over the 2 cart full receipt and slowly walk forward. I'm still slowly pushing the cart forward. The grandma took one step to the left, I gave the cart a nice push to the right and said with frustration "excuse me". I then started putting my groceries in the bags. The grandma turned around and said, "Young lady, you about hit me with that cart, do you want me to mop this floor with you?" Greg said I should have said at this point, "You better sack a lunch cause it's gonna take you all day!" Yeah, I then I could have said it again 5 seconds later when I picked myself up off the floor. Anyway, she said this 4-5 more times then was told by someone she was with "Come on Grandma!" I never looked at her once, and didn't say a word but my blood was boiling! I finished bagging my food and was told by the cashier "Have a really nice day, Mam" who had to have heard what the woman had just said, but didn't have the gumption to say anything to her. Oh, I was fuming. But, I knew this woman would be waiting for me and I knew that if she and her family decided to confront me that no one would stop her and no one would care--you'd have to understand the area I was in (Milwaukee--enough said). So I had Nolan in his car seat on one arm pushing the cart with the other, Lucas in the cart and Dax standing on the end of the cart and out I walk of the grocery store. I knew where they were. It didn't take long for them to know where I was either. I took about 10 steps out of the store and the Grandma yells, "Hey lady, it looks like this parking lot is dirty, you want me to wipe your A_ _ with it?" They continued yelling at me for the next couple of minutes, or as long is it took for me to get my kids in the car, chuck the groceries in, hop in and lock the doors. My heart was beating a thousand and one times a second. I prayed that they wouldn't follow me. They didn't and thankfully it all ended there.
I thought all the way home "I hate Milwaukee, I hate Milwaukee". I ended up having a really hard day--just super bad anxiety and all because I couldn't wait ---I COULDN'T WAIT 10 more seconds for the lady to move and then avoided the entire situation.
Today, it's not Milwaukee I hate but rather when I set a bad example for my kids. I really hate it when I do that. And even if my kids hadn't been there, I know better. One tough lesson learned for me.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
10 more seconds.....
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12 comments:
Awww Shalet...that sucks so much. I'm sure we all would have done the same thing, and probably anywhere else but here it wouldn't have escalated like that! You are an awesome mom! I mean, you could've put down the car seat, told Dax to watch the little guys, and then said, "Bring it, Grandma!!" :)
I have similar experiences a lot. I am trying to be patient... just remember, she probably did very similar things when she was younger with a few kids in tow. I think people forget what it's like having young kids. Don't worry too much... we all have those days! And think, you're almost done with Milwaukee!
so sorry Shalet, but yes, I completely understand!
John and I were shocked when we were reading your story. SHOCKED! Especially that this woman was about 70-- you thought you were a bad example to your kids (which you weren't-- it sounds like you tried to lay low and ignore her), but think about the example she was to her kids and grandkids. Well, the best thing you can hope is that she is off her rocker and she didn't really mean any of that. (Just to give her the benefit of the doubt.)
Just out of curiosity, what are the crossroads of that Pick-and-Save that you went to?
Oh don't be so hard on yourself. Seriously, I think you set a good example by not saying anything back to the woman. I think about how I feel taking the kids shopping--it can be frustrating in and of itself without some grown woman treating you like that.
Yeah, I don't think you were the bad example! But, I understand how you wished you had just waited 10 more seconds and then could have possibly avoided the situation. That must have been really scary! I'm sorry. I can totally picture what pick'n save you were at. :)
You should have mopped the floor with her.
serious,if you would have followed HER home I would gladly go to her house and slash her tires for you. Don't tell Lily I said that...
Wow, so been there! What a great example you are of being an accountable person. You could have easily just blamed her, thank you for being a good example to me! Your kids are blessed!
I hate moments like this in life, I had a good one last year. I was thinking while I read this that in 10 more seconds she would have just done something else to keep up the annoying trend. I think you were the mature one. You're not giving yourself enough credit for the restraint you showed when they were yelling at you. I don't know if I could have done that. That granny sounds like a keeper!
You're a lot better than you think Shalet! Long live Milwaukee!!!
Dear Shalet,
Just remember my dear two things in life about this expereince and the "Grandmother" who yelled at you.
1. Grandma Peru Thompson (Grandma Faye's Mom)would always say "Some people aren't happy, unles they are miserable" AND
2. Someone people serve as an example as how to NOT LIVE THEIR LIVES.
I agree with you about the big city. It is tough and there are people there who have anything but a happy life. Don't worry about your example to your kids. You are a great Mom.
Love Aunt Mary
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