I am working on pictures from Hannah Grace's first dance recital last night, so those will be soon to come, but for now, I wanted to tell this story before it becomes distant memory!!
I do love to tell stories, actually I always have. I remember being Hannah's age- rather in the 1st grade- I had a story book written in large print on countless notebook pages: "the Adventures of Yellow Blankie", where I wrote down short stories about my beloved baby blankie. In middle school my best friend and I passed back and forth a notebook where we wrote a story lengthy novel about our favorite heart throb boy band (ayayay, yes I'm more than slightly embarrassed to admit that ;-). So why now would I pass up on a chance to share and document, what is-on the bright side- at least a good story!
Rewind to a cool drizzly Friday night back in early February. It was nearing dinner time with that "what are we going to eat" question looming over our heads. I offer to go and pick up a Papa Murphy's (take and bake) pizza. Agreed.
I hop into my dented up hillbilly mobile mommy mini van (that sits in our driveway no longer!) and start on down the street. I am alone, probably for the first time in a number of days. I turn my music up and cruise along the street of my own little world. A world that comes to brutal halt by the vision of blue lights flashing in my rear view mirror. I was bore by a mother who has quite the lead foot and a complicated history with the traffic enforcement of many of the towns she has resided (love you, mom ;-) So given my genes, I'm actually quite proud of the small number of encounters I have had with those uniformed officers notorious for utterly ruining your day. You have got to be kidding, he's not after me?!? I pull over and sure enough the officer approaches my window. After our conversation, I come to the conclusion I think he is actually more miffed that I "accelerated past him" than he was at the alleged 40 in a 30 that I was driving. Obviously I did not see him, again... alone!! own little world... you get the picture. I reach for my insurance and registration and hand it through the window, remaining calm. He takes a gander and re-questions me... "Ma'am, do you have your current insurance and vehicle registration" Uhhhh, I'm sorry, that's not it?? I dig. Another expired copy. "I don't think I have another? but all the info is still good!" He heads back to his car as I continue to frantically dig, not realizing the offense that my typical unorganized self has committed. My tags on my license plate are current! My insurance card expired in January of 2012, just weeks prior. I had clearly just not successfully transferred the current documentation for these things into my over stuffed with only God knows what glove box!!! Don''t ask me how, I don't have a good answer!!
The cop finally returns to my window. I could tell he was not Mr. Sympathetic and was not expecting an ounce of generosity or leniency from him. "I'm going to give you a warning this time..." "OH WOW! Thank you, sir!!!" I exclaimed hardly believing my ears!!! "BUT..." he finished..."you will have to go to court to show your current information since you can't show it to me, you will have to show it to them. Make your court date and it won't go on your record." Gulp... okay not sure which would have been the harder blow, the ticket for speeding, or the being handed a glimmer of hope only to be squelched by the blow of the impending trip to 201 Poplar.... Memphis City Court (and Jail). I returned home an hour and a half later with my warning, ticket, and a pizza (that I waited about 45 minutes for them to make, since by the time I got there the Friday night rush had arrived), and my head hung in shame. My husbands head was shaking.
Fast forward to a warm and sunny April day. My big court date had arrived. I had all my paper work together and ready: insurance cards, new registration I had picked up from the DMV, and my ticket. I was well prepared and ready to go. Ryan took off of work to escort me down to skid row. The big kids had school and grandma was watching the little'uns. I told Ryan it was not necessary for him to accompany me, I could put on my big girl panties and be just fine. He was clearly insistent and I have to say, the first thing I said to him after we stepped out of the car was "I am so glad you didn't let me come down here by myself!" I felt like we had stepped into a whole other world. People scattered everywhere like ants. Faded out and unlit "bail bonds" signs over most buildings doors. Sirens going near and far. The thumping of bass swaying in and out. I suddenly felt like a little school girl, clenched to my brave escorts arm =). We went through the metal detectors and with the way the building is set up had to head downstairs through the criminal court lobby before heading back up to our destination: traffic court. The criminal court area was packed with people shoulder to shoulder. Ryan mentioned his bewilderment at the laughter and relaxed air about it. Like it was just another usual day for these folks. Crazy. There were no signs in the place, so I asked a number of people for some directional help, with a confused look of , "please help me! and by the way! I don't belong here!!!" on my face. We finally ended up in the right court room. The guards did not let Ryan in with me. I was directed to a row where I took my seat to wait. I felt staring eyes burning in my head and the scent of stale smoke overtook my nostrils. I sat quiet for a few moments before striking conversation with the women to my left. She was there on behalf of her teenage son. We laughed and joked about the atmosphere and how this is enough to motivate you to not drive a mile over the speed limit. ever.. I sat silent a little longer.
By the utter grace of God, a thought entered my mind. "surely my information all shows that not only is this current, but was also active at the time I got my ticket!" I peer down at my State Farm card and have a hasty moment of relief. "ah, yes 'effective Jul 01 2008', good..... yep... 08 to.....08 to... Jan 01 2009!!!! Oh s#)($*@&!!!!!!" My heart drops down to the depths of my stomach. I panic to the woman to my left and in my best dramatic tone let out an "OH MY GOSH! I CANNNNN NOOOTTT believe I really did this!!!!" I dig through my wallet, dig through my purse.... nothing. I get up and head to the police guard (one of about 8 or 9) that is standing by the door. I ask him shyly "can I ask my husband a question?!" He agrees and I head out reluctant to tell my husband- who has already been far too gracious to me through this ridiculous ordeal- of the utter and inexcusable stupidity I had committed. I'm embarrassed to even have to confess this to him. He digs through his wallet to see if the current card is tucked away in his safe place. No. such. luck. "RUN, you have to run to go look in the car!!!" I head back to my seat and wait the 10-15 minutes that felt like an hour. Ryan returns short of breath, I did not know the extent of why of course until later. He is clutching the insurance card tight in his grip. A rushing waterfall of relief poured over me and my heart slowly began to return to normal pace.
Just before my row was called up the Memphis city mayor himself and many other "big players" walk in with the news channel 5 news crew. My new "friend" to my left and I start wondering and conjuring what could be going on... would we have to sit in here and wait until after some big court case goes on?!? Would I be standing there in line in the background of Konje Anthony recording her news broadcast, and be completed BUSTED for being down at 201 Poplar?! Should I smile and wave?! (kidding). To yet another great relief I was able to be called up and through the line, while they waited around. I explained to the judge... if that is even what he was... that everything was good I just didn't have this papers on me at the time. He was obviously a smart man when he replied "well, you didn't get pulled over for not having these?!?" I sluggishly explained my slight speeding infraction that resulted in only a warning. He reminded me I was lucky and directed me to the clerk where everything was thrown out with not so much as a court fine.
I think I walked out that door with a smile from ear to ear. As I reunited with Ryan he was more than itching to tell me the details of his own little adventure when he returned to the car to retrieve the correct insurance card. He was running- card in hand. Crossing the cross walk when a gust of wind rips the card from his hand and across the street to the edge of the sewer. According to him, he rushed without a hesitation across the oncoming traffic, to save the day right as that valuable card was about lost for good to the Memphis City sewage system. He really is my hero, I tell ya.
It was a wild day. So, now, if you ever feel like a disorganized mess, know that there is someone out there who is much, much.... much... worse than you (that would be moi-- taking scatterbrain mom to a whole new level). Ryan and I treated ourselves to lunch for surviving the fiasco. After lunch we got back in the car and agreed... we maybe would do it all again to spend the day together and get a lunch date! Just maybe....
