Me, Bob and the Police Man
Yesterday, I was pulled over by a handsome police officer as I drove down a quiet residential street.
Doesn't that just sound pleasant?
My first reaction? I was irritated. I was going the speed limit. Even more irritating? I was sure that the cop had followed me from the shopping center I had just left. He had been following me to catch me in a mistake. I was certain of it!
It was a gorgeous 85 degree afternoon and I had decided I wasn't going to stay inside. The park wasn't a good option though because I had two kids recently recovered from being very sick. So, what better thing to do on a sunny afternoon than to go shopping for summer clothes.
We arrive at our first destination, and little Bob (2 1/2 yrs-old) decides he must be carried into the store. This is not happening. If I carry Bob, then I must also carry Tay-yay (1 1/2 yrs-old). So, the rule is both boys must walk up to the store holding my hands and then they get to ride in a cart. Little Bob wanted none of this. He whined and clung to my leg as I waddle along through the parking lot holding the other toddler's hand.
I received many sympathetic looks from strangers. Even better, I got compliments on how beautiful my children are....even as I was struggling with them. Is that really better? Ask for my attention to tell me they are beautiful, AFTER we are out of the dangerous parking lot. Please?
Then we went shopping. Shopping was pleasant and the boys were deliciously adorable. I found many cute things for my kids to start wearing right away as it is going to be in the 90's all weekend. Time to store away anything with long sleeves.
Walking back out to the van was equally frustrating as now I was carrying bags too. I did manage to get the kids all safely stored away into their car seats. I then drove out of the parking lot. I took the exit into a residential area. I know the neighborhood well and knew it would be quicker to cut through to my next stop instead of fighting traffic and lights on the main road.
We were on our way to a going out of business Wal-Mart. What? A Wal-Mart going out of business? That is unheard of! But understandable when they are opening up and Wal-Mart SUPER CENTER less than a mile away. I am glad they are not so arrogant to think that we need two within a mile of each other. I thought I might find some good clearance deals as the store is closing in less than a week.
On the way out of the parking lot on to the previously mentioned residential street, I passed by a police officer parked in his car. He looked like he might be doing paperwork or something, but then he followed me out of the parking lot...
It was strange to see him slowly following me. He wasn't keeping up at first. But after I turned a corner, I looked into my rearview mirror and there he was right behind me. Then his lights came on.
I pulled over, rolled down my window and unlatched my seatbelt. I was frowning and irritated. I wasn't doing anything wrong! But..as he exited his car I saw him in my rear-view mirror and I realized my mistake. He was walking up carrying my large black purse.
Talk about a quick way to melt away anger and turn it into humility. The wonderful man had even stopped and picked up a few of the things that had come out of the purse. He explained that the intersection where I had turned was littered with the contents of my purse and I ought to go back and get my stuff. Which I did.
I pulled into the relatively quiet intersection, turned on my hazard lights and quickly scurried around picking up my credit cards, license, cash..etc. A woman stood in her front yard steps away from me and asked me if it was my stuff. Yes I said. How crazy...stop me while I am saving my identity as cars carefully pass me. I am pretty certain I was able to retrieve anything of importance.
We then turned around and finished the drive to Wal-Mart. My son did not cooperate any better getting through the parking lot, but I was rewarded for my efforts by finding a very cute skirt for $3.00.
I didn't have it in me to make any additional stops and we went home and all took naps afterward.
So, thank you kind City of Phoenix Police Officer. You took care of me yesterday.
Doesn't that just sound pleasant?
My first reaction? I was irritated. I was going the speed limit. Even more irritating? I was sure that the cop had followed me from the shopping center I had just left. He had been following me to catch me in a mistake. I was certain of it!
It was a gorgeous 85 degree afternoon and I had decided I wasn't going to stay inside. The park wasn't a good option though because I had two kids recently recovered from being very sick. So, what better thing to do on a sunny afternoon than to go shopping for summer clothes.
We arrive at our first destination, and little Bob (2 1/2 yrs-old) decides he must be carried into the store. This is not happening. If I carry Bob, then I must also carry Tay-yay (1 1/2 yrs-old). So, the rule is both boys must walk up to the store holding my hands and then they get to ride in a cart. Little Bob wanted none of this. He whined and clung to my leg as I waddle along through the parking lot holding the other toddler's hand.
I received many sympathetic looks from strangers. Even better, I got compliments on how beautiful my children are....even as I was struggling with them. Is that really better? Ask for my attention to tell me they are beautiful, AFTER we are out of the dangerous parking lot. Please?
Then we went shopping. Shopping was pleasant and the boys were deliciously adorable. I found many cute things for my kids to start wearing right away as it is going to be in the 90's all weekend. Time to store away anything with long sleeves.
Walking back out to the van was equally frustrating as now I was carrying bags too. I did manage to get the kids all safely stored away into their car seats. I then drove out of the parking lot. I took the exit into a residential area. I know the neighborhood well and knew it would be quicker to cut through to my next stop instead of fighting traffic and lights on the main road.
We were on our way to a going out of business Wal-Mart. What? A Wal-Mart going out of business? That is unheard of! But understandable when they are opening up and Wal-Mart SUPER CENTER less than a mile away. I am glad they are not so arrogant to think that we need two within a mile of each other. I thought I might find some good clearance deals as the store is closing in less than a week.
On the way out of the parking lot on to the previously mentioned residential street, I passed by a police officer parked in his car. He looked like he might be doing paperwork or something, but then he followed me out of the parking lot...
It was strange to see him slowly following me. He wasn't keeping up at first. But after I turned a corner, I looked into my rearview mirror and there he was right behind me. Then his lights came on.
I pulled over, rolled down my window and unlatched my seatbelt. I was frowning and irritated. I wasn't doing anything wrong! But..as he exited his car I saw him in my rear-view mirror and I realized my mistake. He was walking up carrying my large black purse.
Talk about a quick way to melt away anger and turn it into humility. The wonderful man had even stopped and picked up a few of the things that had come out of the purse. He explained that the intersection where I had turned was littered with the contents of my purse and I ought to go back and get my stuff. Which I did.
I pulled into the relatively quiet intersection, turned on my hazard lights and quickly scurried around picking up my credit cards, license, cash..etc. A woman stood in her front yard steps away from me and asked me if it was my stuff. Yes I said. How crazy...stop me while I am saving my identity as cars carefully pass me. I am pretty certain I was able to retrieve anything of importance.
We then turned around and finished the drive to Wal-Mart. My son did not cooperate any better getting through the parking lot, but I was rewarded for my efforts by finding a very cute skirt for $3.00.
I didn't have it in me to make any additional stops and we went home and all took naps afterward.
So, thank you kind City of Phoenix Police Officer. You took care of me yesterday.
7 Comments:
Um...Handsome? ;)
My husband is in law enforcement, and a lot of times, they get a bad rap. They are just people trying to do their job, but if everyone had their way, they would never write a ticket! Then they would get fired! No doubt there are some jerky ones out there, though, as in all professions.
I am glad he was nice enough to do that.
Wow, I'm glad you got your stuff back.
That's a great story. I once left my purse in a shopping cart at the grocery store and got it back in the mail a few weeks later.
That's a nice feel-good story for a Saturday morning.
That's a great story.
90° already? Wow. I'm still in long sleeves but the afternoons are pleasant and the trees are blooming.
One time I was with some family and we were on the 10 driving home from the east valley and I suddenly saw my BIL driving next to us. He held up my purse. oops!
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