Just a hint for anyone out there who might need it:

If you take your small child out after dark wearing a black stocking cap, a black jacket and dark pants, and he goes sprinting through the parking lot behind a vehicle that is slowly backing up (with the driver, by the way, looking while doing it), and the person fails to see him until he’s on the other side of her car…

…pounding on the window of the vehicle and shrieking vulgar insults like an insane woman just draws attention to the fact that you didn’t pass on –um- shall we say – survival genes.

But then, you probably don’t believe in evolution…so its all good.

Never mind.  Go about your business.

[UPDATE]  In the cold light of day, the next morning, I can realize what this other mom went through, and have total compassion for her hysteria.  The mom brain can do funny things to you.  If you think you see your kid in danger, you really can't be held to the ordinary standards of rational thought for at least several minutes after.

  I really didn't mean to sound so callous.  It's just - well - I was feeling wronged, and I think rightly so.  I HATE backing up in a mini-van.  HATE it.  I will go to great lengths to avoid it, and when I can't avoid it, I carefully check both mirrors, turn and look over both shoulders, and continue looking as I SLOWLY back up.  If I somehow miss seeing a kid whose darkly dressed against a dark background, whose running and apparently unable to see backing lights (or hasn't been taught what they are)...I don't know what else I could do.