When I was just a teenager but out of high school, I was working at an elementary school as an Instructional Aide. I worked in a Resource Classroom where kids would come in from their regular classrooms for specialized help in certain subjects. If they were behind their grade level in a subject, they would come to us to help them get caught up with their classmates. It was a very rewarding job and I had planned to go to college and eventually choose a career in either Speech Therapy or Special Education. That didn’t exactly go as planned…but I digress.
I didn’t have a car of my own at that point in my life so I had to either walk, get a ride, or borrow my mom’s car. She was never fond of the idea of being without wheels and I guess I don’t blame her. I don’t like being without wheels either! Anyway, normally she would pick me up in lieu of letting me take the car.
One day she actually let me borrow her car, an ugly green station wagon. I sure wish they still made them! It wasn’t a cool car by a long shot, but I’d love to have one now! I wasn’t used to her letting me take the car, so I forgot I had it! I waited and waited…and waited and waited…for her to come get me and she never showed up! I figured she forgot or something came up.
After a good 45 minutes, I called her on the phone. When she picked up I asked, “Where are you? Are you still coming to get me or should I just walk?” She said, “You have the car, you dingbat!” I was instantly embarrassed!! Some of my co-workers (teachers, office management, and other aides) were in the office at the time and they all knew I was waiting for my ride. I could feel the heat on my face as it turned beet-red. When I got off the phone, I laughed at myself.. even though I was dreadfully embarrassed! One of my co-workers asked me what was going on. I explained what happened and felt so ridiculously stupid! That ugly green station wagon was out in the parking lot the entire time! Silly me.
Thankfully, I don’t have too many really embarrassing moments anymore. What are some of your most embarrassing moments? Do share…