I’ve Become One of THOSE People

I like to pretend I’m laid back and easy going. You know the kind, the person that doesn’t sweat the small stuff, worry about deadlines, or doesn’t need a “do list” to get the most basic things in life accomplished. And every year I pretend I’m one of the laid back cool people by scoffing at the people in Target buying school supplies at the end of July. Saying to myself in my cool laid back way, it’s only July! School doesn’t start for another month! These people are crazy! Are they really that busy that they have to buy school supplies a month in advance?

And so I wait in my cool laid back way until a week before school starts and causally stroll into my local Target with four kids in tow to buy school supplies which are probably going to end up costing me $200. And suddenly my cool easy going demeanor slowly melts to the floor as I become overwhelmed with the crowds of parents and kids clustered around the very depleted and picked over bins of school supplies. Everyone of us trying to read through our lists, keep track of kids, and maintain a sense of politeness. Grabbing whatever we can that is even remotely similar to the “suggested supplies” provided by the school, calling our friends on our cell phone in a panic over glue sticks hoping they bought enough for both of you, and trying to convince your 10 year old daughter that the Barbie folders they have left really are cool. Every 5th grade girl will have one!

And so this year I finally admitted that I really am one of THOSE people, you know the kind, the uptight, “do list” or die kind of people. And humbly walked into Target along with the other uptight, “do list” or die kind of people a full 40 days before the start of school. And we very calmly and casually (well as calmly as possible with four kids in tow) bought our supplies. There were no mom melt downs in the store, frantic calls to my friends, or arguments over the Barbie folders. Just peace, calm, and the sad realization that I really am one of THOSE kinds of people.