I think I’ll research “mommy amnesia” today, to see if anyone else can’t remember anything besides just me.

In my pre-pregnancy days, I used to be focused – working in the area of career services at the Missouri School of Journalism. I could remember any of our on-campus recruiters after a single meeting and students’ names with ease.  It was effortless – it was just part of who I was.

Now there are some days like I am on a flying trapeze with no net.

I long for the days I breezed out of the house, car seat be damned, strolling through the grocery store blissfully shopping without a list.  I never forgot my credit card in the store, as I’ve done more occasions than I care to admit. Last week, I walked out of a restaurant and realized after 5 minutes, I forgot my purse.  What kind of woman can’t remember her own purse? I regularly have to call my own cell phone before leaving the house because I can’t remember where I’ve put it. A few minutes later, I’ll notice I missed a call, wonder who it is from and feel a little lost that I can’t remember it was me calling from my home phone.

I know I’m not alone – several of my mom friends suffer from this, too. One friend went to the grocery store and came home empty handed because she had her purse, but no wallet. Cold feet takes on a whole new meaning for my friend who left her son’s tennis shoes IN THE REFRIGERATOR!

I know my memory hasn’t totally shut down. I could recite my diaper bag checklist  as readily as the Lord’s prayer – give me diapers, wipes, change of clothes, milk, bottles, favorite toys, favorite blankets and snacks and it will likely all be OK.

But, my brain must have a hard drive with limited memory. Maybe it’s normal that something as simple as taking my 5-year old son Dylan to the pool and all the stuff that requires means it’s quite possible I show up without my swimsuit.  It’s not forgetfulness, but really my selflessness coming through – meaning someone else’s needs have to come before your own, so if you forget a few things in the process, so be it.  That sounds much better than the “mommy amnesia” definition.

Mommy amnesia… hmmm… what was I talking about?