Dear Grocery Cart Police

(Sadly there are not actual pictures to go along with this post. Just use your imagination.)

Dear Mr. Grocery Cart Policeman,

It's been just over a week since we met in the Ralph's parking lot. Since then I've been going over several plans should I have the opportunity to meet you again. Not sure exactly what I'll do, it may involve blood and your handy reusable bag smooshed under my big SUV tire.

You see that special Friday my family and I were on our way to San Diego. Ralph's was our last stop before jumping on the freeway. It was 1:00p and I had been up and running since 6:00a. The morning was spent packing for 5 people including 2 children and 1 infant. Matt making several trips to Fedex Office picking up my brochures, poster and flyers for the travel conference. We rented a car (cause it was free) and it turned out to be a little smaller than expected and my 3 kids in carseats were smooshed like sardines in the back. Matt's blood sugar was on the verge of collapse. We needed car snacks and baby food before we could begin our journey into lovely L.A. Traffic.

As I ran out of Ralph's I could see my 6 year old starting to meltdown in the back seat. She was complaining she was "carsick". I handed her an apple reassuring her she'd feel better. The rest of the groceries were stuffed on the floorboard of the backseat as I made a snide remark to my husband that I'd take care of unloading all the groceries. I placed the grocery cart safely in the open parking space next to our car.

Then you, Mr. Grocery Cart Policeman, walked into my life. (For you readers, this was an older gentlemen, who may be stereotyped as a tree hugger.) As you walked by me placing the cart in the open parking spot, you called out, "The cart return is right there", pointing 6 parking stalls away. My first thought was to yell back, "Thank you jerk!" But since my kids were in the car, I refrained. I got into the car and started it up. My six year old asked her first, "When are we going to be in San Diego?"

As I was settling the kids and starving husband I can see Mr. Grocery Cart Policeman walking into the store turning around several times and shaking his head at me. I'm staring at him unable to move because I'm thinking , do I get out of the car and put the cart away? Next thought, heck no! That jerk isn't going to tell me what to do. He has no idea what I'm dealing with right now.

Just before Mr. Grocery Cart Policeman enters the store he turns around and gives me one more disapproving shake of his head. Matt asks, "What is that guys problem?" I tell Matt what he said and Matt, flips him off. (Now, if you know Matt this is totally uncharacteristic of him.) Then to my shock, Mr. Grocery Cart Policeman starts running towards our car. Matt then rolls down the window and both men our hurling insults to one another while Mr. Grocery Cart Policeman's hands are on making coo-coo signals at us. I throw the car in reverse and start speeding out of the parking lot as he's chasing our car. Karissa is fully aware of what just went down. Of course I was less than thrilled with Matt and he was less than thrilled with me for not being happy he defended me.

So, Mr. Grocery Cart Policeman, I dare you to shake your head at me again. And just for you, I will always leave the cart in the parking space next to me. Because I have kids in the car and don't want some lunatic to take off with them while I walk 25 yards to the cart return!