Friday, March 15, 2013

A Kid’s Story



I thought I'd share a funny story from years ago.  It was inspired by one told to me yesterday by Coach Clawson's wife, Stephanie.  I would never tell her story because it will forever be a classic in her household.  She triggered a memory etched forever in my mind and so I thought - well, Chris isn't here to be embarrassed about this now so I’ll go ahead and tell it.
To be honest, I don't even think Chris would mind if he was sitting next to me in person as I share it because, first of all, he was only about three years old and second he was the kind of kid who could laugh out loud at himself.  So here's the story.  I'll try to paint the picture...

We always took the kids on some sort of vacation each year.  It wasn't usually for very long but I really tried to do something memorable with them every year.
This one spring when Jeremy was off for school break, he was probably in first grade I imagine, I took the kids to Disney.  It was one of those times when everyone is traveling because all the kids in the northeast are on vacation and everyone and their mother was traveling.  
Picture the busy airport when there's nowhere to sit and the airline attendant is on the loud speaker every five minutes saying the flight is oversold and would anyone care to give up their seats for a later flight.

It's jammed with kids running around and cranky parents who are sweating because they're toting along all this kid gear, don't want their children touchingly thing in the germ infested waiting area and absolutely nowhere to go.  Add to that the case of nerves many parents have begging God for their kids not to misbehave in a public environment or on the plane.

OK, so there we were; a six and three year old,  midway to our destination, sitting in the Atlanta airport waiting on a delayed flight feeling like hostages in the terminal.  We were looking at each other wishing I could partake in the free flight vouchers being offered knowing full well I couldn't grab them due to these two little kids I had in tow.  I was already about to explode from the crabby people around us, the endless coughing and sneezing everyone in the area seemed to be doing in our direction, attempting to entertain our kids who repeatedly asked when we would be there and wanting desperately to get to the warmth of Florida.  On top of all that we were at the mercy of our next planes arrival which seemed to be taking forever.
After waiting and listening to the airline staff give yet another delay announcement I told Mike I was going to the ladies room.  I guess I didn't realize I should have told Christopher where I was going. I really didn't feel the need, nor did I guess he was interested in knowing. He was only three, what did he care.  I was wrong.   He cared.
While I was gone he must have missed me.  I believe he had himself a little conversation with Mike in asking him my whereabouts and Mike told him “I would be right back I was in the bathroom.”  That was the end of it so far as Mike thought but when Chris spotted me clear across the terminal as I exited the ladies room he mightily waved his arms at me, flailing them about and yelled at the top of his lungs. " MOM, DID YOU HAVE TO PEE OR POOP?!"
Oh my God, hide me under the nearest check-in counter.  I thought I would die.  I felt like the entire wing of the terminal stopped dead in their tracks.  Everybody heard him.  The jam packed holding area was roaring and everyone was staring at me.  It seemed like an absolute eternity for my feet to continue moving so I could get back to my seat and bury my head in humiliation.  I will never forget that moment.  I think we were the talk of the plane.
Ah yes, kid memories. The stories are priceless.  I hope you have plenty too.  Lock them into your brain and one day share them even if they're embarrassing.  They're treasures forever!

By the way, I only had to pee.

Thank you for reading.

35 comments:

  1. Regina, that sounds so familiar! My sons are 7 and (almost) 4, and I'm about to embark on a cross-country flight with them during this upcoming break. I'm sure I'll have many interesting memories after that excursion! I've had that same question come at me time and again, just not yet in public! I will share a quick story about my older son (but he was about 3 at the time). I was wearing a zip down sweater, with no extra shirt underneath, carrying him around in a local Chinese restaurant. I saw a family I knew, stopped to talk to them - and doesn't he unzip my sweater all the way to my waist!!! Lucky for me, he was a BIG 3 year old, and I could hide myself behind him until I found the opportunity to zip up. These memories are priceless. Thanks again for writing.

    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  2. Regina,
    HAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!!!! THIS IS SO SO FUNNY!
    OH my gosh I wonder if I've ever done anything like that. I better apologize to my mom today for anything like that I may have done.

    Good memories! Good vibes.
    Hannah

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Hannah you are so sweet, but don't apologize tell her you're welcome! As a mom...those are GREAT memories and very funny!!!

      You have a great day and stay classy like you are!!!
      XO, Annie

      Delete
    2. Have a great day Annie! Smile

      Love,
      Hannah

      Delete
    3. Did you know you make my day when I read your posts?!

      Did ya say hi to Mr. Dudas from me?!!! :)

      Have a great day..oh wait that is too much pressure! Have the day you will have! XO

      Delete
    4. You're too kind!
      Actually, I haven't gotten to see him yet, but when I do, I'll be sure to! My gym block is a different one than his :( He's so funny though and is seriously a legend here.

      I hope you had the day YOU had! (And, of course, I hope it was amazing.)

      xoxo

      Delete
  3. Oh Regina,
    Thank you for sharing that wonderful story! Love it!! Again I am sitting in public surrounded by a group of elderly men at the coffee shop and I just burst out laughing when I read this! I guess it is better than what I am usually doing...trying to hide my tears. I have to tell you my first attempt at responding to this blog, my computer just mysteriously shut off! Completely shut off! Just as I typed your name it went dark and shut down! HMMMMM!!! That never happens! A SIGN????

    ReplyDelete
  4. Regina,
    Hahaha!! That was so funny. I couldn't stop laughing. Now I can start my work day with a smile. Thank you sooo much for sharing this story. God bless

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hysterical! We are taking the kids to Disney for the first time over spring break at the end of the month. I've been dreading the travel part, but now part of me is looking forward to what kind of chaos and embarrassment the children will cause. kids say the darndest tings! Thank you for sharing. -Anne

    ReplyDelete
  6. LOVE this story! Oh the things kids say.....I'm told when I was three or four, I announced to everyone within earshot that there was "a pack of penguins" in line at the local K-Mart. I was referring to the nuns in line next to us. Thankfully, the nuns were gracious and forgiving. My mom, on the other hand, was mortified. Here's to those gray hairs!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Regina,
    LOL, that is great!!! I have some of the same type of lasting memory stories on my kids too. Thank you for sharing.
    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  8. Priceless. Kids are so outspoken ..I loved this story, and as always thank you so much for sharing your great memories with all of us. Xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Precious memories. Your story made me laugh then I imagined everyone around you laughing, and thus taking some of the mounting pressure away= Priceless.

    God Bless You and Yours

    ReplyDelete
  10. Regina,

    Too Funny!!!!

    You so reminded me of a story if you don't mind I will share.

    I was 7 month pregnant with my 3rd, my son was almost 3 my daughter was 5, My husband a college coach was out of town, so I venture to mass with the two kids, I come in late and sit in last pew. My son who never says a word (very shy at the time) asks me in a meek voice at the end of mass if he can say good bye to Jesus. I assume he is going to wave at the crucifix and say good bye, so I say “Of course sweetheart” and help him up on the seat. Oh no!!! It is now he decides to have his voice heard, He stands on the pew flails his arm and shouts on top of his lungs to the priest walking down the isle..."GOOD BYE JESUS!!!" as I look at him in shock with my mouth gaped open my then 5 yr old stomps her foot puts her hands on her hip and in an equally loud voice replies to her brother "THAT IS NOT JESUS! THAT IS FR. THE BRA!!!!! OMG...if I wasn't 7 months pregnant I think I would have crawled under the pew!!! BTW his name was not Fr The Bra...it was Fr. DuBois...LOL

    Oh…I so can so relate!!!!

    Thanks for the laughs and for sparking one of my favorite embarrassing moment!

    XO, God Bless...You are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annie,

      I often wonder if any of our kids know each other from SHS or even St. Ambrose. My kids went there to RE before we switched over to OLA!

      Delete
  11. Regina, what a cute story! I'm glad you shared it with us, and I'm sure Chris would have LOVED that he publicly humiliated you! Kids thrive on that!

    The funniest story I love to recount was when my son was just under 3 years old. We went into the bank in Delmar that we always went to! Since I only worked part-time back then, my son went with me everywhere. So he know familiar faces in the bank and was always a big hit. So this particular day there was a new bank teller. He was a nice young man who happened to be black. I didn't think much about it. Why would I? So we were waiting in line, and getting closer to the teller counter. Well Mr. Eloquent apparently realized someone at the teller counter was different. He looked puzzled, I could tell something was going on as he was focused in on the young man with an inquisitive look on his face. As we inched forward, 2 people ahead of us my son screams out "WHAT'S THAT?" pointing his pudgy little finger right at our new friend, who we later found out was Darryl. I thought he was pointing at the lollipops on the counter, but as we got up to the counter he did it again, right in Darryl's face... "WHAT'S THAT?!!!!!!!!!!!" I recovered very quickly realizing he was pointing at Darryl, saying why he's a bank teller! Everyone was laughing, even Darryl! To this day we laugh about that. Darryl was a good sport!

    Years before, when I was approaching teenager years, and my sister was still little we were in church. We went to a church that was set up in a gymnasium of a Catholic School. Well my sister was loud! Very loud. She got fixated on the crucifix that was hanging amongst the curtains on the stage. She yelled out, mid-mass when of course it was quite "Who's that hanging in the curtains!!!???" My mother was mortified. She picked my sister up and went outside, while everyone was hushing their giggles. She came back in a little while later and my sister, who obviously didn't get what my mother must have said to her outside started screaming "Jump Jesus, JUMP!" Needless to say, the compsure on the Priest who was really good friends with our family was gone at that point. My sister was pretty famous for that for quite some time and me, being a teen was furious with her. My mom tells the story really well, and it comes up at family gatherings every so often, as does the bank story.

    Then there's Ally. Ally and my son grew up going to the races with me because my now husband raced back when we met him. Ally, loving to sing, and always sung the National Anthem at the top of her lungs. So one weekend she was asked to sing the National Anthem, (when she was 5 years old) at Fonda Speedway. Little did we know it would become her 2nd favorite thing to do, singing the National Anthem at public events. Well, just after she sang the National Anthem at Fonda, a few days later we went to my son's baseball game, where of course, everyone sings the National Anthem. Well we were all singing it, in the stands and at the conclusion of the song. She was particularly proud of herself that day because she had just done it in public for the first time just days before. So she sang at the top of her lungs. Just then at the conclusion of the song, when all was quiet she screams out "GENTLEMEN START YOUR ENGINES!!!!" Everyone burst out laughing, she started sobbing! We explained to her those words were only for at the races and while everyone thought it was adorable, she was embarassed because they were all laughing. We had no idea that she thought those were the last 4 words of the song! Now, when she's practicing before the Devils Game or some other event, finding her "note" to start singing on, I will randomly blurt out "gentlemen start your engines" and depending on her mood she will laugh or glare at me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Obviously these (except for the bank story above) were not nearly as embarassing as Chris shouting out to you about your bathroom visit in a crowded airport, but the story did drum up 3 of my favorite memories so I decided to share them all in the hopes they bring a smile to your face. I hope you are having a good day and I'm sure I will giggle more than once when the image of Chris screaming to you in the airport pops into my head!

      God bless...

      Delete
    2. Justine,

      When I was 4 my mom had an african american friends and as we were leaving their home I said
      "Mom your chocolate friends are very nice!" She wanted to die, but her freind replied, "that is one of the nicest things someone has called me" and it put my mom's mind at ease...She is 84 and her memory is slipping, but she still recalls that story!!! LOL

      Delete
    3. OMG Justine..
      I've never laughed so hard.. " Jump Jesus Jump" I'll never forget that one ! :)
      BTW.. I heard Ally this morning on the radio playing her bagpipes! Wow! Amazing talent!
      Xoxo
      Sharon

      Delete
  12. Hello,

    This gave me a good laugh, one that is much needed, and I truly appreciate you sharing it. Two days ago I lost my boyfriend in a car crash in east greenbush. One of my friends directed me to this sight in hopes of finding some comfort. You have seem to come such a long way since losing your son and I only hope I can do the same, find the strength to carry on with my dailey life. Though he was not my own flesh and blood and I could only imagine the pain of losing a child, we talked constantly about starting our own family one day. He was a terrific sportsman as well and we were so excited to sit in the stands one day to cheer on our kids as our families did for us. Any guidance or advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you for you strength,
    Cali

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Cali,

      I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that God blesses you with Peace and Grace to make it through this difficult time. You are in my prayers.

      XO,Annie

      Delete
    2. I'm so sorry for your loss Cali. :-(

      Delete
    3. Cali - please go to the RIP Chris Stewart FaceBook page and send me a private message with your phone number so I can contact you. You're going to be OK! Mrs. Stewart

      Delete
    4. Cali,
      So very sorry for your loss. My prayers and heartfelt thoughts go out to you and all of Sean's family and friends..

      Delete
    5. Cali,
      Welcome to our little community of love and support. We are all here for you. So sorry for your loss. I know nothing can replace him, but life moves forward and it is still just as beautiful.

      Lots of love,
      Hannah

      Delete
    6. Welcome Cali.. You've come to the right place..
      Xoxo
      Sharon

      Delete
    7. Cali - sorry for your loss. I know it is hard and I know it easier said then done but I promise you will be OK. You are in the right place.

      Delete
  13. Your story made me laugh! We all have these stories in our family history.
    Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a great story! Thank you so much. I travel for work and am always seeking the kids out for that moment to put a smile on my face. Their honest and unabashed curiosity brings me to life! :)

    thanks again,

    Terri

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Regina,

    Thanks for the funny story! My son embarrassed me once at a work dinner. He was about 4 or 5 years old then. He just yelled out, "YOU FARTED!" (which I didn't). I was so embarrassed I wanted to crawl under the table. Kids say the darndest things!

    Hope you have a good day today!

    Hugs, Ann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "which I didn't" hahahahahahaha!!!!! Ok that is funny I laughed right out loud!!!

      Delete
  16. Regina,

    Tears...I was laughing so hard!

    Reminds me of years ago when we took my oldest 2 kids who were 1 and 3 at the time, to Sesame Place. We were in the lazy river and my daughter, 3, got separated a bit from me. She starts yelling at the top of of her lungs, "Mommy, I'm peeing in the pool!" Mortified wasn't the word...I was hoping the pool was going to swallow me up. Twenty-three years later we are still laughing about it!

    Then there was the running joke for several years between my husband and I that he was going to get me one of those statues of the little boys peeing into the fountains. I always said I didn't need one because I had the real deal. My third child, second son, was known for peeing in the yard facing the road. For those Latham, I live on Mill Rd, very busy street and it never seemed to fail it would be rush hour! Oh yeah...smack dab in the front of our yard facing the traffic! I can only imagine what those people thought! Good thing I have a good sense of humor!

    I got a good chuckle out of all the stories!

    Thanks for sharing.
    hugs and peace

    ReplyDelete
  17. Regina,
    I laughed till I had tears running down my face.. Thanks :)
    Xoxo
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  18. Very funny - laughed out loud! Still smiling. Out of the mouths of babes!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hahahaha I literally LOL'ed! MY son used to chase my daughter around the house after she used the bathroom, insisting he smelled her hands to make sure they smelled like soap thus ensuring she had, indeed, washed them. She left her facebook up recently (On MY computer, I wasn't snooping, I swear!)and they had a recent private conversation, at 18 (her) and 23 (him) in their different states. It went something like this: (Her) "Well I'll be right back, I have to use the bathroom." (Him) "I'm probably going to bed soon so I'll just talk to you later! By the way, did you go number one or two? WASH YOUR HANDS! Ahaha." (Her) "Yes, I washed my hands, and it was number THREE, jerk!" Ahh, kids. At any age, potty jokes make me laugh. Still wondering what number three is, but I'm ok if it remains a mystery. ;)

    Thanks for the late-night giggles!

    All my best,
    Jen M.

    ReplyDelete