what are people *thinking*??!??!

Earlier this evening, we went to CVS pharmacy. A woman pulled in beside us, looked in the back seat, and walked inside.

Mark and I discussed this about fifteen minutes later and we walked out to look. Lo and behold there was a BABY in an UNLOCKED car. He thought it was just a baby seat.

We took down the lisence number and we went back into CVS looking for the mother. After she paid for her perscription (Mark found her in line and asked was that her car--she lied and said no), I found her looking at makeup and asked if it was her car. Ashmed, she scuttled out and I followed her.

Yes, while her baby SCREAMED in an unlocked car with NO supervision, adult or child she was LOOKING AT MAKEUP.

I wanted to call the police, Mark didn't want to. Coincidentally, we found a policeman in the 7-11 next door where we stopped next, and the cop was of the opinion that it was probably a one-time thing and it would be a pity to involve CPS etc.

Well, I see his point BUT it only takes one time for a child to be kidnapped, or choke or...my god, the possibilities send a chill up my spine.

Oh, did I mention that the CVS has a drive up perscription service??

The child wasn't a newborn but was definitely an infant (I'd say 3-6 months old).

Tell me, is this something most parents do? Common sense says hell no, but I also frown at kids eating dinner after eight on a school night, kids dressed inappropriately for the weather, or far too old for their chronological age, etc.

And I still feel saddened thinking of the kids who went to Manassas in a cab and shopped then went to dinner and waited for their mother. The girl wasn't older than ten and her brother couldn't have been more than six. Childhood is so fleeting...

Don't these people understand that children are our most precious gifts and it only takes one minute (not to mention 15-20) for something tragic to happen. Thinking of that baby alone in an unlocked car is horrifying!

18 years ago today

On Jan 2, 1989 my father passed away after waging a six month battle against multi-systemic cancer. He met this battle with grace and courage that showed me the true measure of the man he was. I will always admire him for the way he met and waged that battle.

My father was a complex man who never seemed to wholly get beyond his time in Vietnam. I don't know what he did over there, since his mission was classified then, but I do know that whatever it was defined the rest of his life.

In many ways, my dad was an overgrown kid. I was a solemn child raised by women in their sixties, and my weekly visits with my father were the times I was carefree and was a typical kid. I needed those times more than anyone knew.

My father was the one person who understood me wholly. I was an enigma to a lot of people when I was young, but my father was able to easily see who I was and what I was about. I loved and admired him more than words can say.

He was a scrappy fighter, never reaching his potential. He had many different jobs in his life, from retail manager, to insurance salesman, to owner of a jewelry company. He was brilliant, quick witted, moody, full of life. He was the most genuine person I'd known.

My father's legacy lives in me. I have a very lighthearted and teasing side that comes out occassionally. He fostered my love for music and took me to my first concerts. Many of the "fun" activities of my childhood revolved around him, from concerts, to amusement parks, to Sunday afternoons playing Pac Man.

He was taken away from us far too young. But in those moments, as his body failed him, I saw the purest form of who he was and he will forever have my admiration for his courage. I know he tried to shield me from some of the horrors of his illness, though I could see him starving to death.

One story that perfectly illustrates my father is this. When he was so sick, he often became nauseous. He convinced one of his friends (also his nurse) to bring him in something to smoke that would help his nausea. He was absolutely unrepentant, saying that he deserved a little peace.

I hope he has it now. Rest in Peace, Dad. I wish I could have just one more moment with you.

Happy 2007!

I hope your celebration was just as wonderful as mine :) I have a new computer now and it is soooo much faster than my seven year old one. Last night at midnight, I was relaxing with Mark and some friends in a quiet but nonetheless ideal way to spend a NYE. Today, there will probably be more of the same. I may *gasp* even do a little work. We'll see ;)