Panic!!

So today I think I deserve a Razzie award for Worst Mother Ever!  At least that is how I feel.  Let me explain.  My day started out just like every other weekday around this beehive.  I took Addy to the bus stop, it came and she hopped on and I proceeded to go to work.

I was really enjoying my day at work.  It was very productive, I was getting a lot of stuff done.  My boss even offered to buy lunch so I am thinking SCORE!!  I love Fridays!!

And then it happens...I get the dreaded phone call.  It went something like this...

Me: "Hello"

Caller: "Is this Mrs. Lura?"

Me: "Yes, it is."

Caller: "Mrs. Lura, this is the bus company and they are at your daughters stop and there is no one there to pick her up.  We can't let her off the bus until someone comes to get her."

Me: "What do you mean that there is no one there to pick her up?  Wait a minute, why are you dropping her off so early?"  As I look at the clock and see that it is 1:15.

Caller: "They only had a half day of school today."

Now this is the part where the panic sets in because I had absolutely no clue that she only had a half day of school.  And from where I work, it is a good hour drive home.

Me: With a quivering voice, "What happens if I can't get there in time to pick her up?"

Caller:  "I will just have the driver take her back to school."

I immediately hang up the phone and called my husband.  No answer.  And now I am starting to freak out.  I told my boss I had to leave and thank goodness I work for some amazing people who understand these kinds of things.

That had to be the longest hour of my life.  The whole drive I kept picturing Addy in the principals office, in tears, thinking we forgot about her, (because that is exactly what I would have done if I was her).  At one point I even started to tear up just thinking about it.  Unless you are a parent yourself, you cannot possibly understand what this feels like.  I even called my mom for some assurance that I am not crazy.  She politely informed me that this would probably not be the last time something like this happens.  This kind of stuff apparently runs in the family.  Thanks mom for making me feel better.

So I get there, park in the bus loading area and run into the school.  There is Addy, in the principals office, coloring a picture.  I run and give her a big hug and tell her how sorry I am and she just smiles and says, "It's OK Mommy, look what I drew for you."  She is so sweet and strong, and she deserves more credit then I give her.  I love that kid!

So after apologizing profusely to the principal and trying to not act like I just forgot my kid had a half day of school, we get in the car and go home. And we are both enjoying a quiet afternoon on the couch watching the Disney Channel and she is safe and sound and the panicky feeling is starting to go away.  In fact I am thinking that once Daddy and Reese get home, we all deserve a trip to the Dairy Queen.  Ice cream makes everything better!