i just can’t do this alone. really, i can’t.

I’ve always loved the theater.  Don’t think I’m too fancy because I just wrote that.

Some of my most treasured moments from childhood involve a trip to Rockefeller Center, Broadway or Lincoln Center with either my mother or grandmother. There’s just something so magical about it. Even the most boring ballet is sparkly and fabulous when you’re at Lincoln Center. Even better when you stop for Chinese food afterward.

(Disclaimer: I no longer like Chinese food and it irks my poor husband that I went to Chinese food on one of our very first dates, acted like I loved it and then refused to ever go again. So if you see my husband, treat him to some Chow Fun.)

Back to the theater…

So I take my girls to a lot of shows and this week I had the chance to check out a local theater, the Emelin Theatre in Mamaroneck which has so much stuff for families.  They invited me to see the Shangri-La Acrobats who do crazy, amazing stuff with their bodies and I’m sure they have spawned a lesser known but very successful group called the Shangri-La Chiropractors.

I knew there was no way for me to bring all four kids alone and Rick was working so luckily my friend Kristin and her daughter came along. Kristin thankfully agreed to hold one of the babies through the entire performance.

And everything was just perfect until the end when I really had to pee.

When I’m with all four kids, I normally forgo such a luxury as peeing but I really really had to go. So we make our way to the bathrooms and that’s when I realize that I have nowhere to put Harlowe. I have no baby carrier and my friend is already holding Chase. I scan the room.

And that’s when I spot her. A very sweet looking woman who is standing there with her two older children. She looks very loving in a stranger kind of way.

“Excuse me, would you mind holding my baby for just a couple moments while I use the ladies’ room?”

“Of course,” she laughs.

“I’m serious,” I say.

“Ok,” she agrees.

And that’s when I hand my sweet Harlowe to a stranger without even introducing myself. Of course, Kristin stays with her the whole time and I’m fairly confident that if this woman tries to take off with my baby girl, Kristin will hold her down until I return. Or at least note which way she goes.

I pee fast. And all is good when I come back from the bathroom.

P.S. A mere 24 hours earlier, a parent of one of the kids in my daughter’s kindergarten class held Chase for me because she could probably tell I was having an emotional and physical breakdown trying to coral four kids. I still don’t know that woman’s name.

Apparently, it really does take a village. Or at least nice people. No names required.