Sooooooo…it’s a good thing I’m seeing my therapist later today because Oh Em Geeeeee. I just picked up my son from school for a doctor appointment and had to go find him in the lunch room. 
A middle school lunch room.
And just like that, I stood there in the entrance of the lunch room, grasping my phone like a life line, ready to call for help – should these hormonal animals attack. I broke out in a sweat as I was transported back in time to 1983-84 and all of the awkwardness and fear that junior high can bring.
My eyes scanned over the crowd. So many kids. So loud. The smell of school lunches. Kids’ eyes on me. The chatter of overly energetic teens filled my ears. I searched. And searched for him. I walked around the lunch room. Looking here. Looking there. And felt just like I did on my first day of middle school. Where should I sit? Will anyone sit with me? I hope I don’t drop my tray.
In an instant, anxiety filled me.
What if I can’t find him?
These kids keep looking at me.
I feigned confidence. Because seriously. I am 43. These kids are 13. Why do they scare me?
I was 43 on the outside, but holy crap if I wasn’t feeling 13 on the inside. I’m telling you people…that 10 minutes was awful.
How do our kids do this everyday?
I have a renewed appreciation for what my kid faces every day. Because Sweet baby Jesus at the lunch table, I never want to do that again.
Ever.
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Couldn’t. Pay. Me. To. Go. Back.
This totally made me laugh because it is soooooo true. However, what is different is that we could leave the lunchroom or school and go home and hibernate. Now, there’s Facebook, SnapChat, Twitter, Instagram…and all these ways to stay connected after school. What is interesting though is that while we think the world is looking at us in the junior high lunch room, they are all thinking the same. So everyone is kinda looking at themselves not each other. Well – not much.