Sunday, May 17, 2009

I am an IDIOT

Have you ever made a really big mistake in judging someone and then felt really, really stupid? Oh, that would be me right about now. Fortunately, the person is so good and decent that she probably never even noticed that I had made the mistake in the first place.

There's this mom in town--totally an "A List" mom. There is no doubt about that. Her kids have graduated now, but they are the same age as my two daughters. Anyway, when all the kids were in school this lady was always the one to do everything. Every school event, she was there and behind the scenes making it a success. She was probably the team mom for every sport for about eight years and thanks to her the booster club raised tons of money. I think she's absolutely the #1 mom in the world and I have always thought that and that is not where my error lay.

I also thought that she didn't think much of me. Sure, when I saw her at school she was really nice and friendly to me. She always asked about my children and offered some fun and positive comment but if I saw her outside of a school event it was hit or miss. Sometimes she would smile and chat and be friendly and other times, I was met with averted eyes, no acknowledgment and a hole in my self-esteem bucket.

So, I assumed that I probably wasn't up to snuff. For TEN YEARS, since our children were in middle school track together, I have thought that this lady was either really moody or just didn't like me. I'm sure that I was kind of shy around her for just that reason and Lord only knows what sort of impression that made.

OK, so fast forward to today--I stopped into Subway for a sandwich and there she was eating with her son. Except there were two of her and I didn't know which one was the lady I knew. Fortunately, she smiled and waved and asked about my children and offered some fun and positive comment. I responded, smiled at her and at her twin sister and left Subway with my tail between my legs and a lesson learned.

15 comments:

Allison said...

OH MY GOSH. Totally been there, felt like that!

LoveANewIdea said...

Ah - very interesting story! Isn't it something how our perceptions create our realities?

beth said...

wait you lost me and now I feel like an idiot....is she a twin ?

beckie said...

Loved this story. It's amazing how we judge ourselves by the reaction of others. Of course when you get to be as old as I am, you learn that what other people think or do doesn't matter as much as it once seemed to. Have a great week Beth.

Jayne said...

Oh, my! Well, we just never know, do we? Reminds me of the old saying... there is no reality, only perception. Sometimes we have to remember to never assume anything. :c)

Pappy said...

I thought from the ad you posted it was going to be something about your breath. How stupid of me. I feel really bad now. The other Beth didn't get it either. Just kidding. I did get it. This one rates up there with some of "The Elementary's stuff." Your in very good company. Pappy

NCmountainwoman said...

Oh, that is funny. My first grade teacher was an identical twin. Her sister taught 4th grade. Man, was I confused for a while.

Mary said...

Isn't that funny?!?! And how many years did you feel inferior? For nothing. What a weight has been taken off your shoulders :o)

I like Beckie's comment - once you get to be my age, who cares? Oh, I still do care but not as much...

Lavinia said...

Oh my. I wasn't expecting that conclusion. I thought you were going to write that she was near sighted and on the days she ignored you she wasn't wearing her glasses and didn't see you.!

That's my problem!~

Anyway, this is another very interesting story, I like reading your anecdotes; so many interesting things you write about... I enjoy them.

Nan said...

You couldn't make this stuff up, Beth!! A great, great story. Thank you so much for taking the time to post it.

Ruth said...

Great story Beth. My identical twins (Beth and Stephanie) still confuse people as adults. But I can tell them apart by voice and gait, even if I cannot see them.

Morning's Minion said...

My husband has an identical twin--it has caused a few interesting mix-ups over the years. I have noticed that when they spend more time in each others' company--the shared mannerisms become more noticable.

joyce said...

Now that is funnY with a capital F!!. But you're not the idiot, you didn't know. (By the way, I get the same feelings of inadequacy when I'm around "A" moms)

leanne said...

Beth, you told me this story just this morning but I got just as big a laugh now as I did then. We've all done it with those two!

Kathie Brown said...

Oh Beth! My heart goes out to you! What a funny mistake!