Look Back and Laugh: Littering IS Not Cool

This story is more of a look back and "learn". I learned very early on that littering was unacceptable. Nothing gets my mom fuming like seeing someone litter. The only exception is my dad who occasionally throws tooth picks out the car window. He says it is no different than a twig falling from a tree.

I will never forget the day that we were busted for littering. I was in 6th grade and had a few friends over. It was a mixed group of guys and girls from the church. There was a take out pizza place at the end of our street and we decided to walk down there for some bread sticks. On the way back one of the boys threw the empty container into the woods. I cringed, but kept my mouth shut because I wanted this boy to think that I was cool.

As we approached the house with our bread sticks still in hand, I guess my mom's inner motherly radar must have been going off, because she immediately noticed that we were not carrying a bag or box. She asked us about the missing container and it came out what had happened. All of the sudden it was like she transformed into some kind of monster from a science fiction movie and with wide eyes, pierced lips, and a red face, she hovered over us and with an intimidating growl she commanded- "GO GET IT." We had to walk all the way back to retrieve the littered materials and throw it in the trash where it belonged. I was so embarrassed, but now I don't even think about littering or trying to impress anyone who does because it is just not cool.