Beth Grider What’s your most embarrassing moment…so far this year? I’ve forgotten people’s names or just called them the wrong name. I’ve done the car dance and realized the car next to me was watching. And, recently I forgot to buy and bring the video for
the women’s Bible study group. I stopped by the day it was starting and realized I had brought the books, but no video. The study had to be postponed. Talk about embarrassing…thankfully the ladies were forgiving.
If those aren’t enough, this is one of my most embarrassing moments…this year. After it happened, I shared this one with both of my 8th grade classes who were very empathetic, concerned and embarrassed for me, so I may as well share it with you.
I work at a local Christian school as a middle school Bible teacher. So, three of my kids ride to school with me each day. At our school, we have assigned parking spots and this year one of the new Bible teachers is parked right next to me on the left side. I don’t know this teacher well at all (we will call him Mr. Gold). One day in April, I pulled into my assigned parking spot and then the most terrible thing happened. Oh, it’s probably happened to you at some point, but probably not like this. I opened my door and stopped it from swinging, like always. Then, as I turned to get my bag, the wind grabbed my van door and hit the small car next to me. I heard the loudest crunch and could only wonder about the damage! The kids couldn’t help from staring toward Mr. Gold’s car. To our horror, part of the passenger side mirror was laying on the ground. This is where the embarrassment began. I looked to see if the mirror would just go back on, but I couldn’t figure it out easily or quickly. Of course, there were lots of cars passing by as parents dropped their kids off. They seemed to be staring as we examined the damage. Nicholas upsettingly asked me what I was going to do. So, I explained to Nicholas that I would have to tell Mr. Gold about the damage. Nicholas was very concerned that Mr. Gold would be angry (so was I, but I couldn’t let the little guy know). The other kids were trying to figure out a better solution, but nothing came to mind.
So, I began my walk of shame by entering the school, carrying part of Mr. Gold’s side mirror. I sent the kids on their way. They were already embarrassed and were happy to l
eave me to deal with my mess. I headed straight to Mr. Gold’s room on the first floor. I didn’t want to carry that awkward mirror around any longer than I had to. I planned out what I would say…the wind was crazy and it swung the door open…I am so sorry… I will pay for any damage. I felt terrible. When I reached his room, Mr. Gold wasn’t in there. In my nervous embarrassment I forgot that he had cafeteria duty before school. He must be in the cafeteria with the students! Now, I had to carry the mirror to the other side of the school and find Mr. Gold in the cafeteria. My embarrassment went up ten fold at this point!
As I headed toward the cafeteria, my walk of shame extended, I continued carrying part of the side mirror. I avoided eye contact at all cost,
hoping no one would ask why I was carrying the object of my embarrassment. I made it to the cafeteria and saw Mr. Gold through the crowd of students. I embarrassingly made my way to him. Needless to say, he was stunned and literally speechless as I walked up carrying part of his car! Could you imagine? I explained what happened and apologized profusely. I also offered to pay to have the car repaired. I told him to let me know once he knew how much the repair would cost. He simply said okay. So, I headed to my classroom…still feeling nervous and embarrassed. What a way to start my day! And, I helped Mr. Gold get his day off to a rough start as well!
By second block, I had to tell someone. I was still embarrassed, but I needed to work it out by talking it out. My teacher friends were teaching, so I did the next best thing… I told my 8th grade class. We were learning the requirements for an authentic apology, and this illustration fit. Some of the kids laughed. Who wouldn’t? And, they were horrified that I had to take the car part through the school to make my apology.
I didn’t see Mr. Gold’s car the next few days and I didn’t hear from him about the damage. Maybe, he was off or maybe he was trying to park elsewhere. Finally, I emailed him and asked about the cost of the damage. He emailed back that everything was fine and that the part fit back onto the mirror. I am thankful that he was able to fix it and for his forgiveness and grace.
Check out Teresa Dumain’s article, How to Handle 7 of Life’s Most Embarrassing Moments (https://www.rd.com/advice/relationships/most-embarrassing-moments/), to determine how to respond to some common embarrassing moments.
