The Waiting

At midnight last Monday, I got into my car and drove to a parking lot where I proceeded to wait in line for six hours. What, you may ask, did I wait in line for? Did I score front row seats at a Tom Petty concert? Did I buy the newest Ipod/Playstation/Wii? No, nothing that glamorous. The waiting was to ensure a spot for Sarah in the coveted morning session of next year's Westminster 4-year old preschool class. Yes, I waited in line for 6 hours in the middle of the night in a church parking lot in 25 degree weather just so my daughter would be in a certain preschool class. I am one of those moms.

When I first heard of the tradition that parents arrive at midnight and wait in line over night, I thought it was crazy. I debated with myself whether or not to join in this madness, and decideded that the morning class really would be better for our schedule. When I drove to the church parking lot at midnight expecting to be the only loony person there, I was shocked to find a line of seven minivans already parked. So I pulled up in our old station wagon and joined the queue. Can you find me in the picture? I am eighth in line...oh wait, parents didn't actually wait in line. The chairs waited in line. Yes, that is my chair, eighth in line. The parents waited in their warm and comfy minivans and watched DVD's while falling asleep. While I was relieved not to have to stand out in the cold night, I have to admit that I was a little irritated that others were not doing so. Maybe if parents were required to sit with their chairs in the freezing cold in order to maintain their place in line, they wouldn't show up in the middle of the night.

I spent my night in a minivan with two other parents watching movies. Watching out the car window as other parents drove up and put their chairs in line. I wasn't able to fall asleep as my carmates did. The preschool staff opened the doors just before 6 a.m. I was home shortly before 7 a.m. and promptly fell asleep. Staying awake for 24 hours is hard on the body. I felt like I had jet lag. In fact, if the minivan seats were a little more cramped, then it would almost have been like an overseas flight. Except I didn't get off a plane and see the bonnie hills of Scotland, instead I got out of a minivan and saw bleary eyed parents wearing wool coats and mittens. Will I do this again next year? I don't know. Anyone have an RV I can borrow?