My 7-year-old granddaughter Sophie shakes her head at me in loving mocking distress. “Madre, really? You’re lost again?”
I had hoped she couldn’t tell. After all, she’s in the back seat of my SUV, munching on the brownie I gave her, looking through her bag to see if she remembered to pack her ballet shoes.
Every Tuesday I do this. In fact, she reminds me of this fact now. “Madre, how many times have you driven me to ballet school?”
I curse softly under my breath. Since September. I pick her up from school once a week at 3:45 and sign her out of her after-school class, beaming at the way she jumps for joy when she sees me walk through the door. She shares whatever snack they’re eating: graham crackers, gold fish, today chowder crackers, and then she races to the hallway to pick up her backpack.
While doing all of the above, Sophie chatters like a Bohemian parrot: “Did you know that Calamity Jane was friends with Wild Bill Hickok? She was a true American frontierswoman.”
On and on she goes. Her energy reverberates up my spine, through my scalp, and into my soul.
“I’m not going to use Suzie today,” I bravely suggest to Sophie as I start the car this afternoon. The drive from her school to the ballet studio is 6.2 minutes, according to Suzie, my phone’s talking GPS.
Sophie rolls her pretty blue eyes and chuckles.
While I drive Suzie-less, Sophie goes on and on about her drama class, in which she’s practicing her role as Calamity Jane. We discuss the definitions of “calamity,” and 11 minutes later, I mumble something.
“What?” Sophie asks.
“I’m lost,” I admit.
Sophie sighs, not judgmentally, but with a twisted smile. “Better turn on Suzie.”
“Just promise me one thing,” I beg as I meander down streets I’ve never seen before, hoping to find a driveway where I can stop and turn on the verbal map directions.
“Sure,” Sophie responds immediately.
“Let’s not tell anyone I got lost again, okay? Just our little secret.”
Sophie smirks. “Okay.”
The next day, I get a text from Sophie’s other grandmother. “Saw Sophie today; first thing she said to me was ‘Madre got lost going to ballet!’”
A day later, I heard from my daughter that Sophie’s 3-year-old little brother had a new mantra that day: “Madre got lost! Madre got lost! Madre got lost.”
Pam, although not the same thing but similar, I got lost every 3 to 6 months with my daughter from age 13 to age 18. I was 43 to age 48.
Not an age thing, but a talking and being absorbed in the moment thing, I feel. 🙂 Felicia was diagnosed with JRA and most if our trips were my driving her from Delaware, Ohio to Children’s Hospital for blood tests, MRI’s and to see Dr. Gloria Higgins. On many trips we were in rather shady neighborhoods, pulling over to ask various people how to get there. On our last visit, we were on the highway and Felicia had “googled” the directions (12 years ago, still no GPS for us!) We made it there in half the time! 🙂 She was sent out into the world, which we both cried, with Dr. Higgins being a little teary eyed, too. Although most children’s hospitals allow the patients to stay until 21, she and many were being sent off to the Columbus Arthritis Center. At age 13, she was diagnosed with the joints of a 65 year old. Now, when I get “ache-y” I think of those times and realize with chuckles they were our happiest moments, giggling with her saying, “We’re lost AGAIN?!”
LikeLike
Getting lost: a meandering path to joy. xo
LikeLike
Really? You though a seven year old girl was going to keep a secret for more than five minutes? That would have been a first..:)
LikeLike
So I’m learning!! I’m a bit slow to the draw,; can’t call me calamity Jane. 😳
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cute story to which I can relate, I have no sense of direction and get lost all the time.
LikeLike
I think it must take a certain kind of brilliance to get lost over and over again.😏
LikeLike
OMG that is so precious. I have a few driving episodes with my grandchildren too. I think it was the seven-year-old who said, as I drove her to the library, “There is a shorter way you know.” Oops. I also took my grandson out to a parade, a fun park, for ice cream and later a subway sandwich and on the way home, I accidently cut off a car, one that happened to be a police officer. He pulled me over and gave me a warning. The minute grandson returned home, he did not mention all the fun things we did, but instead said, “Gramma cut off a cop.” They are not good at keeping secrets.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a huge surprise to find out that 7-year-olds are so astute and become smarty pants suddenly. But my most favorite quote is ‘Gramma cut off a cop.’ Hysterical.
LikeLike
It was funny now that I look back but at the time I was worried my daughter-in-law would not trust me to take him out again. LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohhh, yes. Been there…..
LikeLike
Aw…I loved this, Pam! Your granddaughter is so adorable.I think I’d get lost on purpose just so I could drive around a little longer and listen to her chatter. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I’ve done that too! 💚💚💚
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pam, what a delightful story. I also love that feeling when my grandchildren’s face lights up when they see me. It is the best.
LikeLike
Wish we could bottle it up and save forever. 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your granddaughter sounds delightful, but I guess you can’t trust her with a secret. 🙂
I can get lost anywhere–getting off an elevator, for example.
My husband changed the voice on his phone’s GPS to a woman with a British accent. I named her Annabel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh you have just made me feel so much better! I’ve gotten lost getting off an elevator also. The strangest most embarrassing feeling.
Annabel sounds delightful- I’ll look for her in the GPS netherworld. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
At least you have a smart phone. My kids are after me for jus using the cell. They are right, but I don’t want to be on call all day.
LikeLike
You may be smart about not being on call all day. On the other hand, my granddaughter now texts me and that’s pretty darn fun. 😀
LikeLike
A reverberating message kept coming back to me as I read through your entertaining, yet thought-provoking post, Pamela. It’s on the side of my wife’s Jeep, and I’m sure most everyone has heard it sometime in their lives.
It applies to geography on a map as much as it does geography of our hearts, minds, and souls. And it just seems so appropriate for this very moment.
Not all who wander are lost 🙂
LikeLike
Heart smiling. Yes, it is all about the geography of our hearts and souls. And you can never really be lost when you follow those directions. Thanks, Dave.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a treasure. I love that kids don’t analyze or filter everything like adults do. She sounds delightful.
When my first granddaughter was around five, I thought I’d play a little piece on the piano for the girls, but I struggled. She said, “Grandma, I think this is too hard for you.” I was dismissed. Ha ha ha.
LikeLike
Oh my gosh, this is too funny. They do get to be critics pretty early in life, don’t they? 😝
LikeLike
😀 😀 Indeed they do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love that story. Kids are so innocent.
LikeLike
Innocently wise! XO
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha! Lovely story. Getting lost is just an opportunity to find a new way to get to where you’re going! (being directionally challenged and very creative, that is my mantra most days!) 🙂
LikeLike
I like your mantra and your rationalization. I’m going to borrow them, if I may.
LikeLiked by 1 person
enjoy finding a new way to get to where you’re going! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 ‘nough said. My lips are sealed. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Bonnie. But I think the cats out of the bag. 🙃
LikeLike
l
love it
LikeLike
You’re so sweet to enjoy this lost piece, Harriet. Thank you for giving me a smile.
LikeLike
You can’t trust anyone to keep a secret these days!
LikeLike
Particularly seven year old little girls!!
LikeLike
I’ve lived in this area all my life and I still get lost!
LikeLike
You make me feel much better, Susan. I’m sure if we’re driving together, we’ll enjoy the experience of being lost together. That’s when you’ll find the best things to photograph and I’ll find the best stories to write about.
LikeLike
I guess it was too juicy to keep to herself! 🙂 My husband, who can fix anything and is a whiz at mechanical and electrical things — and is a highly trained and much beloved physician — is directionally challenged too. It’s just something missing in the wiring, and it makes me furious when anyone gets impatient with him. He just can’t help it.
LikeLike
You are a good wife to speak up for him. Some people call being directionally challenged a disability. Your husband and I think it’s a sign of high intelligence. 😝
LikeLike
A charming bit of conversation, reminding us all that children can’t keep secrets. I once bumped into an old, rusted truck that came to a stop where it shouldn’t have, and my son told everyone about my driving talents for the next week!
LikeLike
Sometimes conversations with children are the most astute and intelligent, aren’t they?
I think it’s great how we can entertain our kids and grandkids- pick up trucks and all.
LikeLike
Too cute! I love the photos as well.
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
Soak it all in just as you are. This is all priceless information. Glad to read about it. She will be too one day.
LikeLike
I’ll definitely share this post with my granddaughter in five or 10 years. 🤗
LikeLike
Of course, she told! Ha ha. You have another 25 years at least before your secrets are safe with her 🙂 My husband thinks the Overlord can keep secrets (like that grampy gave him a chocolate bar). Clearly, he’s delusional. 😀
LikeLike
Clearly delusional- particularly with the ‘overlord!’ I have just learned about secrets and children. As you say – many more years of no safe secrets ahead.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely story. I envy you your task, even if you do get lost; you have time together. Mine are all 700 miles away. I’ve actually never understood people who get lost easily. My mother, for example. She’s discovered that her problem is that she automatically turns right. No matter what. Often while driving, always while walking. Coming out of a store, she just turns right and walks. Only later will she realize she needed to go left. Surely there’s a support group?
LikeLike
My guy is just like you, Janet. He will drive to a place he knows nothing about once, and then if he doesn’t return to it for 20 years, he’ll know exactly how to get there the next time. You have the good directional gene!
LikeLike
Ha, this is such a cute story. Wanted to drop in and let you know how much I enjoyed it. Our secrets are never safe when the juicy info is too fun not to share. 😉
LikeLike
So great to have you stop by, Carrie! I have a feeling I’m going to have a lot of juicy stories in my future. 😳
I miss your posts, but I know your next book is thanking you for the extra attention.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m back on track with it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story! Thanks for sharing- and I’m always getting lost, too. 🙂
LikeLike
And my GPS is named Ingrid, by the way.
LikeLike
I bet Ingrid is just as helpful as Suzie. Hopefully I’ll find my way to you in August! xO
LikeLike
Once two people know, it’s no longer a secret especially if one is a child!
LikeLike
That’s a wise statement. Hopefully I have learned my lesson!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kids! You can’t trust ’em!
LikeLike
Never! 😝
LikeLike
So much for your secret. Little ones love a secret so they can tell it to the nearest person. Maybe you need a diver to drive you and grand daughter to ballet. 🙂
LikeLike
I just need to never turn off Suzie! 😳
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lesson learned. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sweet! So much for secrecy, hehe!
LikeLike
I now know there is no such thing as secrecy with Sophie. 😀 Thanks so much for visiting here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always a pleasure to visit your site- I love your outlook on life and your way with words 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haaa! Awesome story, Pam. Your secret is safe here 😀 Whenever i’m driving I say to hubby ‘I have an uncanny sense of direction’ and he thinks it’s hilarious. I rarely get lost, but when I do EVERYONE knows about it. Maybe I should just admit that I don’t really have an uncanny sense of direction 😀
LikeLike
I love your sense of humor. I think I have an uncanny sense of NON direction!
May you always end up where you’re supposed to. 😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! Kids can never keep secrets, can they? Especially when a grown-up makes a mistake. My kids LOVE to point out mine!
LikeLike
This is why we parents and grandparents make mistakes. So our children can point them out to us…!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And those teenagers have sharp eyes too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cute! You didn’t really expect her to keep a secret, did you? I’m a bit concerned about children being asked to keep secrets. It’s not always a good thing. Harmless fun in your case though. 🙂
LikeLike
I agree. In fact, Sophie told me that she is never to keep a secret from her mother, so I told her definitely to tell her mom. I just didn’t want her to tell the world!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s good advice! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This made me laugh 🙂 Not much of a secret keeper yet is she – but if it’s out, you might as well share it with the rest of us, right? Thanks Sophie 🙂 I’m utterly useless with directions, especially when I have others talking to me – I get so easily distracted. I remember a job interview I was ages early for – or so I thought – and ended up walking in just as they were calling my name. The first thing I said was, ‘I didn’t mean to be on time!’ They laughed! Of course I meant, ‘I meant to be early!’ Love, H xxx
LikeLike
That is called a Freudian slip, Harula! 😝
I think anyone with a poetic heart gets lost for a reason. We’re supposed to see the unbeaten path.
LikeLike
Is ‘Madre’ in commonplace usage for Grandma in the States? And they eat goldfish at Sophie’s school?
Gratifying though that someone else gets lost easily. Even after living in a 9 x 5 island for 39 years I quite often get flummoxed in a country lane 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
My daughter spent her college junior year in Italy, and ever after has named me “Madre.” Thus, it only seemed fitting that her children do the same.
I think you should write a book entitled “Flummoxed in a Country Lane.” Has a great ring to it, doesn’t it? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too cute! I don’t have a wonderful sense of direction, either. Next time, maybe bring two brownies and she won’t notice if you get lost? 🙂
LikeLike
You just made me laugh out loud. Sound advice, Kate! Brownies will distract kids every time. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, those little ragamuffins will sell you out as soon as look at ya.
It took me a little while to accept GPS into my life, but now that I have my Map Lady, I can’t imagine my life without her. (That said, I still have no plans to throw out the ratty New Jersey road atlas nesting in my glove box.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
That New Jersey road atlas will be an antique before you know it – worth big bucks by 2025, no doubt.
LikeLike
At least you’re not lost when you’re writing a blog post! LOL–you know how to maneuver EVERY twist and turn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh, Kathy, if only we could maneuver the twists and turns in life as gracefully. Hmmm, I guess what we need is a “Suzie” as life navigator.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You (and I) will never make it as airline pilots or tour directors. Still, no one can out write you, Pamela!
This is a chuckle I needed today what with the buying, selling, boxing, and moving. Oh, vey . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chuckles are a MUST when downsizing. I’m happy I did my little part in making your HUGE job a little easier. 🙂
Keep on keepin’ on. You’ll be thanking yourself when it’s all done. xo
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
One of my daughters lives in Rockville, MD. Since I live on the other coast in the Seattle area, finding my way around the northern suburbs of Washington, DC is a nightmare. In Seattle, unless it’s foggy, you only have to drive around until you see the Cascade Mts. on the east, Mt. Rainier to the south, Puget Sound to the west or Mr. Baker to the north to know which way you’re going. But around Washington, DC, it’s all flatness and ring roads. Last time I was visiting, I had to take my seven-year-old grandson to a make-up Spanish class in another town. It was raining so hard, I couldn’t hear my phone’s directions or see much out the window. I can’t believe I got us there safely.
LikeLike
You should have received gold stars for driving in MD/DC area. I know – impossible to find anything there (my brother lives in MD). We ‘non-directional souls’ need good landmarks like mountains on one side, an ocean on the other, to know what’s up and what’s down. 🙂
LikeLike
HILARIOUS! My mom tells a similar story. She was taking my eldest to a minor league ballgame, but having only recently moved back to the area she hadn’t realized that the team relocated. Apparently arriving at the now defunct / re-purposed stadium, mom was forced to pull out a map. When he got home the very first thing he told me was how his Nana had gotten them lost in the spooky woods.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The little devils…(and I’m talking about the KIDS, not the spooky ‘things’ hiding in the woods). 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
AAAHHHH!
LikeLike
Thanks for the reblog, Jonathan! And that’s NOT just our little secret. 🙂
LikeLike
Didn’t think it would be…compare with my poem…NOTHING HIDES HERE
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is adorable! Well maybe not for Madre but I can totally see it happening to me in future years. My GPS and I are thick as thieves. I now need it to find my way around my own house. Well a slight exaggeration but not by much. Loved this story. Still chuckling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that’s funny. I haven’t needed my GPS in my home yet, but I went for a long walk at a friend’s house, by myself. Realized 50 minutes later I had no idea how to find myself BACK to her house. Thanks to my trusty GPS Suzie, I returned with my dignity intact. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh that would be me for sure! In truth not yet needed in my house thankfully. 🙂
LikeLike
The years fly- she’ll soon be driving herself 🙂 Hopefully she won’t have inherited your sense of direction (and mine would be no help to her either 🙂 )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh noooooo, I don’t want my little granddaughter to grow up! At 7, she already acts 17 sometimes. :-0
And yes, I do believe being directionally challenged is inherited. She’s in trouble….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great fun Pam, I loved reading about your grand-daughter’s chatter and her delight in your getting lost 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Andrea. I think if we don’t poke fun at ourselves, someone else will, right? 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such fun spending time with grandkids. I used to wonder what all the fuss was about until I became a grandmother myself. How fortunate that you live handy enough to your grandchildren to be able to drive them places (and to get lost! 😉 ). That’s such a wonderful gift!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love being close by to these grandkids – even if it means I get lost at least once a week. 🙂 Yes, I never thought I’d even ADMIT to being a grandmother, much less talk about it in my blog for goodness sake. :-0 Enjoy yours!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delightful post. Trust a 7 year old to out you! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by my blog!
LikeLike
Dontcha just love kiddos? 😀
I love her name for you also… where did she come up with Madre? Or did another grandchild name you? I know grandkids are such a delight. I don’t have any but my new baby nieces and nephews feel like they are! 😉
LikeLike