Beware of dreary days and new skirts

This post is dedicated to anyone who has ever had the dream that they show up to school, or work, or life naked. (I will tell you now that this an absolutely true story - I couldn't make this up). Enjoy ...

It was a dreary day in Maine. The sun was hiding, and the threat of rain lingered as the lunch bell rang. The morning had been normal - meeting, writing center class, first freshman class. Nothing extraordinary happened, and there was no reason to think that this day would be special for me at all.

After sending all of the freshman to lunch, Meg and Sara came to my room so that we could enjoy lunch and conversation. The morning had been so packed, however, that there had been no time to use bathroom! It was an emergency. And so, before I could enjoy the chicken and noodle lunch I had waiting, I needed to go from my portable to the main building.

As I hurried through the courtyard, I was heckled by several shop students. They were outside completing the shed their class worked on as a project. "Hi, Mrs. D," one yelled. "There's no ring on this finger! It's Ms. D," I retorted while wiggling my hand in his direction. The student wanted to annoy me, but it didn't work. I was too focused on getting to the restroom.

When I finished washing my hands, I adjusted my nylons and the brand-new, Old Navy, jersey skirt I had chosen as the day's outfit. With a final glance in the mirror, I rushed out the doors and back into the courtyard, where the shop students continued to work and our JMG specialist walked to his car.

Less than ten feet out the door, I felt something strange at my knees. All of a sudden, the freedom a skirt gives was gone. Something constricted my legs. I glanced down to check and ... well ... the waist of my skirt was at my knees.

That's right. My skirt had fallen down, leaving my nylons and panties free for all to see!

I panicked, of course, yanked the skirt up, and frantically looked to see who was laughing at me. You know what? Not one person had seen my catastrophe. Not one. Immediately relieved, I jogged back to my room, laughing hysterically. Try explaining that laughter to your co-workers and friends. Did I get sympathy? Heck, no, and if it had been someone else, I wouldn't have been sympathetic! I got, "the only thing that would have made that better is if you fell!" Darn right!

This event, though potentially tragic, brought laughter to many people today. Most of us needed it desperately. I learned a few things as well.

1. Laughing at yourself in an embarrassing moment is far more productive than tears or anger.
2. Sharing your disasters is therapeutic for both you and your audience.
3. My Nana was right - you should always wear good, clean panties. You never know who might see them!