Journal Entry

Mommy moments: Just taking a nap

“Mommy, we can’t find Gina.” my six-year-old daughter yelled as she ran through the front door. Gina, my three year old, had been playing outside with five other children. We were staying at the Homosassa River cottage of my aunt and uncle for the weekend. The oldest cousin was fourteen and she had asked if she could take Gina out to play Hide and Seek with the other children. “Mommy, please,” Gina had pleaded when I was hesitant about letting her go. I finally relented after Marcia (the fourteen year old) promised to take good care of her.

I ran outside with my aunt to see what was happening. The kids had been playing Hide and Seek and when it was over, they could not find Gina. I calmed the kids down, and we all fanned out to search for her. “I put her in a good hiding spot near me and told her not to move.”

I decided to call the police for help. I left the search to my aunt ran into the house to use the phone. I dialed the sheriff’s office and stood anxiously waiting to tell my story. As I looked around the room, I caught a glimpse of the antique cabinet in front of me. I saw what looked like one of Gina’s shoes sticking out from under it. Sure enough, curled up asleep under the cabinet, was my daughter. She wanted to find a better hiding spot and had fallen asleep under the cabinet.

It would have been her usual nap time if we were at home, and she just couldn’t stay awake. I grabbed her up and danced around the room, yelling for the others.

“Mommy, what’s the matter?” Gina asked as she rubbed her sleepy eyes. I just kept dancing and kissing her little face. My aunt came in, followed by most of the searchers. I thanked them all profusely and apologized for the false alarm. I was embarrassed, but they all laughed and said what really mattered was that she was safe and sound. When I tell that story now, Gina gets more embarrassed about it than I ever did. She rolls her eyes and says, “Oh, Mom, pulleeeze, not that again.” I don’t care. A mother has the right to be a little embarrassing sometimes. It’s what mother’s do.