The first time I rode in the back of a police car, I was soaking wet and pantsless. I was also five.
Yes, my life of crime began at a very young age. We were visiting my cousin, only a year older than me, and somehow we wandered off. I don't remember how or how far we went, but we ended up at the Iroquois River. I was wearing a pink striped shirt with buttons. I remember this because I couldn't get all of the buttons undone and when I tried to take it off, it got stuck on my head. So I had to settle for swimming in my underpants and shirt, instead of just my underpants like my much-more clothing adept cousin. I remember that we had goldfish crackers and I was throwing them in the river and giggling while we splashed around. It's strange how I can't really remember what I wore last month, but I can so vividly remember that pink striped shirt with the white collar and the muddy brown of the water juxtaposed with the orange of the crackers.
What I remember, too, is having no concept of time when we were gone and never thinking for a single moment that we might be worrying our mothers. We were, by the way. They were fairly panicked, calling for us, and eventually calling a neighbor who was a state police trooper. I remember when he picked us up, he put a tarp on the backseat because we were so wet. I remember my legs sticking to the tarp and I remember my cousin telling me that it was okay if we got a time out, because we could just take toys in time out. I don't remember getting in trouble, really, but I do remember coming home to two very relieved moms. On the drive home, I remember my mom asking if we heard us calling and I answered honestly, that no, we didn't. At the time, I didn't understand her worry, because hey, we were just having fun, but now? Every time I read a story about children drowning or children wandering away, oh, I get it.
And so, with this precious childhood memory in mind, should I ever win the lottery, the very first thing I will do is send my mom and Aunt Mary on some very expensive, relaxing trip to a tropical locale to apologize for the time I was brought home in a police car. Pantsless.
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9 comments:
I would be such a wreck if my kids tried that! Funny how things change!
I love that you have been pantless in a police car. HAHA!!! And, if you were my kid, I would have killed you.
I once dated someone who was taken home pantless in a police car, but there was booze involved and he was much older than 5.
love this.
yes, it is amazing to realize what they certainly felt in those times, isn't it?!
Wow I totally know that scared mom feeling and my child can't even walk yet. Your poor mom. Now tell us about the second time you were in a police car, k? :)
Ah yes, I remember it well. When sisters get together, kids can get away with quite a lot. But you may remember from that point on you were never so free again. It was a windy day and with all the trees around, our voices didn't carry. But then, you little rascals had wandered off our property, across a bean field and into the woods on the other side of the bean field so may not have heard our calls even without the wind. Yes, there is no joy like that of knowing the lost have been found!
Love you, Erin!
Aunt Mary
This made me cringe with worry... and smile at the happy ending. Childhood memories ARE so powerful and so emotional... and teaching tools, too! I do ache for your Mom and your aunt, though... and think your recompense would be pretty awesome!
What a story! My stomach is in knots just thinking about it!
Steph
so funny! and yes, times have certainly changed. me and my brother used to ride our bikes to the local 7-11 to get slushies when we visited my g'parents in florida, and we were YOUNG. and the 7-11 was on a super duper busy road. there is no way i'd let my kids do that in this day and age.
Wow, that is insane.
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