Thank You Mister Officer

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. I for one am full up to my eyeballs with turkey, newfie stuffing, mash potatoes and pumpkin cheesecake! Yum-O! Every year we have to go around the table for that dreaded game of “what are you thankful for this year?” And hope that I can come up with something better than, “I’m thankful for the food on the table.” or like my nephew, “I’m thankful for my parents…and hot chocolate.” (damn he’s cute)

This year I am thankful for so much. My health, my family’s health, the love and support of my friends and that my husband was strong enough to kick in the door at Gramma’s house to rescue our smallest child who got stuck in the bathroom. Sorry Gramma.

But what I’m REALLY thankful for this year is the speeding ticket I got the other day.

Weird right?

 

 

So, here’s what happened…I was running late (what else is new) for Brigette’s after school activity. I was on a deserted country road. Non residential, not a school zone and I was going a smidge over the speed limit (don’t you judge me). All of a sudden a cop car comes at me from the opposite direction. BUSTED!

D-OH!

I immediately pulled over and dug out my license, insurance and registration and waited for the pain. And oh, was I in for a world of pain. Not only did he give me a ticket for my 3 days expired insurance card and a large ticket for speeding but also a lengthy lecture about how he doesn’t like attending car accidents when little ones are involved and how I should be more responsible with my kids lives. Oh yeah, he was PISSED at me, I mean, he took it personally that he had to pull me over. “Yes sir, I understand.” was my reply for most things he said. But when he finally came back to my car to give me the tickets I smiled at him and said, “Thank you”. Yes, with no sarcasm or bitchiness at all, I thanked the very angry officer for the wake-up call. I thanked him for totally embarrassing me in front of my kids. I thanked him for helping me teach my kids one of the responsibilities of being a driver. I thanked him for changing the outcome of my day.

I thanked him for slowing me down. Why the hell am I in such a hurry? All. The. Time.

He smiled.

He said, you’re welcome.

I drove off and smiled hoping that I turned his mood around because maybe he was having a bad day or maybe he got some bad news before he came across me?

And maybe he won’t give the next mom a $179 ticket for an insurance card that was expired 3 days ago because come on man, that’s was totally uncalled-for!

Ugh!

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