What's important is to get up when you fall, each time you fall

A few months ago, I experienced something profound. I was to attend

my daughter's school track meet (three races) and from the get-go, I

could feel that this was going to be a DAY. After

seeing my other children off to school I squeezed in a visit to a

friend in need, which in turn made me late for a doctor's appointment

that I had previously rescheduled twice. Knowing

I needed to be back by noon for the race, I hurried through my

appointment, picked up my preschool daughter and sped to the track only

to find that I had missed two races that my other daughter had competed

in earlier than planned. By

this time my older boys were waiting to be picked up, but it was just

then that the third race my daughter was to compete in was announced.

I

ran to the right track, barely saw her come in second (without my

camera ready) and then discovered that her placement meant another race

later on. Meanwhile, my cell phone kept ringing, and I told my boys I would be right there.

As

I zoomed to their school a thought hit me — my daughter who is in

kindergarten. She goes to school for half a day, and by now it was

close to 2 p.m. I had done the ultimate Mother no-no and COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN MY DAUGHTER.Thankfully, I remembered that first thing that morning I had asked

the office staff to have her wait in the office instead of riding the

bus.

Score one for Mom.

After

changing directions and practicing some Lamaze breathing (how long has