The Forgotten Child

How One Mom's Distraction Led to an Awkward Situation

By Gwen Morrison

As busy mothers, we all know how easily we can become distracted, right? I can't be the only one who puts my purse in the refrigerator or forgets a load of laundry in the washing machine until the entire house reeks of an unmentionable odor. With four children, all involved in various extra-curricular activities, it's no wonder that my memory lapses from time to time. Between driving my teenager to his basketball practice and carting my 6-year-old to his Tiger Scout meeting, I often find myself forgetting things.

This past week was a good example. It was after school, so the day had already been a full one. My sons decided they NEEDED to go to Wal-mart to buy some more Yugio cards. I loaded up the car, taking along a friend of theirs, as well as my 16-year-old daughter who just wanted to tag along. Seems like a simple feat in retrospect, but it turned out to be one of those "mommy moments."

Upon arriving at the store, we quickly scouted out the cards. The three boys at my side, we searched and searched for the right packages. Not finding what they were looking for, I decided that it was a good opportunity to pick up some cleaning supplies – all the while thinking I was being so organized by turning the trip into a successful venture.

Boys in tow, I found my bathroom cleanser and made my way to the check out. The boys wanted to go next door to another card shop for a last-ditch effort to find what they were searching for, so off they went. I quickly paid the cashier, careful to put my debit card back in my wallet, knowing I was rushed and could easily forget where I put it.

We spent about 10 minutes at the card shop, checking cards and games until we finally found the ones they were looking for. My eye was on the clock, as I had promised to meet a friend at the library and was already 15 minutes late. I hurried the boys out to the car, in the now pouring rain, and off we went.

The library was a short distance away from the store. Our efforts to make it there were hampered by the pelting rain, and my thoughts were on my friend and her children who had probably left already. In my mind I was going over the menu for dinner, trying to remember what I wanted to pick up at the grocery store. The screaming boys in the back of my car were clouding the mental list I was trying to access in my head.

Just as we were rounding the corner before the entrance to the library, my thoughts returned to my daughter. A fleeting thought, I wondered what she would do at home while we were visiting at the library. With a gasp, I realized that I had left her at Wal-mart!

My heart was pounding. I just couldn't believe it! I left my 16-year-old child at Wal-mart. I pictured her walking around the store searching helplessly for us – what a terrible mother I am! Then, I let out a nervous giggle; I really left her at Wal-mart. Knowing in my heart that she would be fine, I suddenly started laughing at myself. She must have walked away when we were looking at cards, and you know what they say, "Out of sight, out of mind." Especially for busy, distracted moms!

I was feeling very sheepish when I pulled into the parking lot and saw her watching me. She wasn't upset, which was good. She just sauntered casually over to the car, opened the door and sat next to me. I backed out without saying a word. Then she said, "You forgot me, didn't you?"

I tried not to laugh, but when I looked over at her, she was smiling. "Yah, I did," I said. "I'm sorry. I forgot you. Can you forgive me?"

"Oh, mom," she said. "At least you came back!"

I'm glad they forgive me for my blunders. Perhaps, it helps them to see that I am only human. I did promise to never forget her anywhere ever again, but I can't promise that I won't be distracted again – after all, I'm a mom.

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