"Am I so sane that you just blew your mind?"

Above Quote: ----Cosmo Kramer, Seinfeld


Today, a woman blew my mind.
White Nissan Maxima, license plate --- VJD.
African American female with very short hair & a super smile.
Ignorant, but looks rather friendly.

Today, lady, you blew my mind.
You zipped around that Tom Thumb parking lot, ensuring that you got that primo spot. Yes, I know...go ahead. Clearly, by the way you cut me & other drivers off (and I wasn't even going for the parking spot!) you really wanted the spot. And in your mind, I'm sure you had good reason. Why? Because shopping with a toddler really isn't that much fun, is it? Yes, I know---I had my 3 year old son with me. You on the other hand, decided that your Maxima and your front-row-Joe parking spot were adequate babysitters so that you wouldn't have to take your toddler into the store with you.

As I approached the store, I saw your child in the backseat. In his carseat, content. He wasn't crying. He didn't appear to be afraid. Was this your first time to do this? He seemed like it was a perfectly normal part of his existence. That's frightening.

I reached for your doors. They were locked. Is that a good thing? Well, at least strangers and/or predators would have to BREAK IN to get at your child...but then again, so would rescue workers. Your child didn't even flinch when I tried to open each of the doors. That's...odd.

Your keys were in & the car was running. So, I wasn't too much concerned with hyper- or hypothermia. But now we've got ourselves a whole bunch of other dangers---his window will work. He can get himself trapped in that window. He can switch the car into gear hurting/killing himself or others. So many dangers that you've exposed him to for your in & out shopping convenience.

Maam, I was there. The parking lot was full. Everyone & their cousin was there shopping & stocking up on New Year's munchies. There's no way you were going to be "in & out." Even still, that doesn't matter. As the law stands now, you broke it because you were in Tom Thumb for more than 5 minutes. In that amount of time, all kinds of horrible things could have happened. Today you're lucky---because they didn't happen to you, and they didn't happen to your son.

What further blew my mind: you came out, and stepped around my son & me as we were guarding your car & child. You loaded your groceries into your backseat, locked the car again, and walked off to another store. Had errands to run, did you? In that moment, my hands trembled, and I was talking to 911 again. Thanks for flashing me a smile just as I was about to say something to you. In that moment, I was afraid that I would lack diplomacy & tact, and somehow end up saying or doing something that I may regret. What kept me from bashing your windows in & removing your child from that car? A few things: (1) the promise from 911 dispatch that a police officer was on the way, (2) I didn't want my child to witness any arguments that may go on between you & I, and (3) I didn't want glass to hurt your child.

You went to another store, and then returned to your car. You walked around me again to get into your car. Again I found myself weak & unable to formulate just the right words to say to you. You flashed that smile again, got into your car, and backed out of your spot. You were on your way....and lucky you, your child was not hurt today.
I cancelled with 911, and let them know that you returned to your car & left the shopping center.

I went into the store, fuming, and called my mother to vent. Of course that's when the "I should have said..." and the "I should have..." popped into my head left & right. ["Your Honor, I wasn't maliciously keying her car. I was keeping record of the minutes that she left her child unattended in the car. Unfortunately I had no pen or paper with me."] And, my momma gave me permission to break the windows & rescue a child. She said that she would write me a note excusing me if I get into any trouble for it. And paying to replace a window can't be THAT expensive if you think about the life you may be saving. I'm just sayin'....

So, I was in the hectic & crazy grocery store, pushing one of those humongo-carts with the truck thing on the front. I really hate those flippin' things. But maam, you'd hate it even more if you never got the chance to take your son to the grocery store again.

My son was hungry & wanted Craisins. I went ahead & opened the bag & let him snack on them throughout the store. Suddenly the darn basket wheel wouldn't go. I bent down to check it out & discovered gummed up Craisins on the wheel. UGH! I looked behind me down the aisle...My son left a Hansel & Gretal trail of Craisins as far as I could see. Oh No! But---at least my son was safely tucked into the shopping cart & ABLE to leave that little trail.

You dodged a bullet today. My shopping trip with my son in the mega-crowded store was trying. I admit it. But it was worth it. It was worth it to me to power through with him by my side. The alternate behavior of leaving him the car could be deadly for him. You are so lucky that none of the terrible things that your negligence could have caused did not happen to you today. Other parents have not fared so well, and I'm sure they'd give ANYTHING to turn back time, and undo one moment that contributed to their child's/children's death(s)/harm.

Your actions today blew my mind. Wherever you are now---you are probably blissfully unaware of how lucky you are. And your child has no idea what grave dangers he faced today.

So, maybe I'm so sane that you just blew your mind...no, no....you're blissfully unaware that your actions today were both criminal & negligent.

My mom & I have decided that 911 probably knows me now. I'm not afraid to call & report this type of stuff. If I don't do it, who will? I can't tell you how many people walked by that car & paid no attention to the little boy all alone in the car. I'm sure others thought I was crazy for just standing there by a car with one little boy inside, and one little boy outside with me. When my son asked, "Why'd his mommy just leave that boy in the car?" Unfortunately, my emotions got the better of me, and through tears I said, "Because his mommy doesn't love him enough to take him with her." I admit that response was fueled by emotion and was completely biased. What I should have said was, "Because his mommy is not educated about the dangers of leaving kids unattended in cars." For that I apologize...but only a little... Besides---you didn't hear me, and neither did your son.

But hey---don't mind me. I'm just the aunt of dead baby; what would I know about all this, right?