And Then I Pushed the Old Lady Into the Pool

Written by Marjorie on July 27th, 2009

As soon as I heard the elderly lady shout, I knew nothing good was about to happen. 

“MISS!  MISS!  YOU, MISS!” she yelled.  Oh, don’t be talking to me, don’t be talking to me. . .  She wove her way across the wading pool area, through the toddlers and the toys to say, sharply,  and with a whole lot of gesturing:  “Move your baby!  It’s too hot for him here!  Move him into better shade!”

Huh? Are you kidding me? “He’s fine, thanks.”

“No, no, no, he isn’t.  This is not cool enough.  Take him over there! It’s too hot here!  He will be sick!”

“Noooo….he’s fine.” Just go back to zooming cars with Chris and pretend this is not happening.  Don’t flip out on a tiny old lady in front of your three year old.  This is no big deal.

She goes back to her chair.  She’s watching me; I am sure of that.

Now, the baby really is fine.  I could describe just what type of shade it was, and how he was doing, and whether he was sweating, and what the temperature was like, and the breeze, and the time of day . . . but none of that is necessary.  I am sitting there with my baby, I am taking very good care of him, and the baby is fine.

On her way out, though, again.  And with more feeling this time.  She veers away from the exit for one more go.  “Get your baby into the OTHER shade!  LOOK AT HIM! LOOK AT HIS FACE!  He’s HOT!  This is very BAD!”

“HE. IS. FINE,” and I ignored the rest of her rant while concentrating on my car-zooming.  She tired of the tirade, I guess, and took off.

 

4 Comments so far ↓

  1. Vikki says:

    I’m always amazed at what people feel comfortable saying to parents. And by “amazed”, I mean infuriated.
    Vikki´s last blog ..Happy Campers My ComLuv Profile

  2. Penni says:

    Oh god. Please preserve the children from the crazy people who think the world is a killing machine.
    Penni ´s last blog ..pressed bread & other flat things My ComLuv Profile

  3. One of my goals in life is to not morph into an old lady who does exactly that 40 years from now.
    Must Be Motherhood´s last blog ..Not as magical as advertised My ComLuv Profile

  4. Breeder says:

    Wow. I probably would’ve said, “Ma’am, the baby is fine. If you don’t quit speaking to me in this manner, I am reporting you for harrassment!” you know, either that or I would’ve flipped her off – depending on the day.
    Breeder´s last blog ..That Birth Story Ain’t Nothing but Baloney My ComLuv Profile

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