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Sunday, January 31, 2021

I really miss that


Here are a few little stories that remind me not to wish my life away.  It's easy sometimes to wish we had what someone else has, but we never know the whole story and there is always something to be thankful for!



A tired, new mother wears her baby through the aisles of Target, hair in a messy bun and eyes burning from sleep deprivation. She pauses briefly to pull a stylish dress from a discount rack, wondering if the flowy ruffles would conceal her post-partum pudge. “$25 is a lot of money,” she ponders aloud, placing the frock back with a frown. Then, she hears the giggles of two women. She watches as they mindlessly shop the same section with fresh makeup and smiles. Their carts are loaded up as they turn to the dressing room, hot lattes in hand. A pang of envy sneaks into her gut.
“I really miss that,” she whispers, pushing her cart toward the diaper aisle, kissing the hair of her snoozing infant.
******
The woman found herself walking through the sale racks, grabbing items and tossing them into the shopping cart. As grateful as she was that her best friend flew in from out of state, all she really wanted was to be home beneath the covers. This was supposed to be an outing to “get her mind off the pain”. But everywhere she looked, there were mamas with babies or growing bellies. She took a sip of her chesnut latte and threw a beige leather purse in her cart, pushing back tears. Her hand wandered down to the place a baby once grew. Oh, how she longed for a kick in her belly, or any proof of the growing life that once existed inside. Her eyes wandered toward a tired new mama, kissing her baby’s head and strolling toward the diaper aisle.
“I really miss that,” she thinks, heading to the dressing room with her friend.
********
A teenager rolls her eyes and huffs loudly. “Mom, they wouldn’t sell it in the JUNIORS section if it was inappropriate for my age. I don’t know why you are so ridiculous about this. I can’t wear anything that’s cool!” Her mother hesitantly eyes the floral halter top, inspecting it’s spaghetti straps and short-length waist. “Honey, if it was just a little bit longer…” her voice trails off as her daughter storms away. She pushes the cart after her, throwing the flowery halter into the basket. As she makes her way after the angry teen, she hears a toddler squeal with delight. She smiles and watches as the toddler’s mother lifts him out of the shopping cart and nuzzles him close for a hug.
“I really miss that,” she thinks to herself.
*******
Toddler mama nuzzles her little man with a hug. After months of teething and sleep-deprivation, she was beginning to feel defeated. But last night Little Man slept 7 hours. Seven. Whole. Hours. She felt somewhat human after a ginormous coffee and a frantic, 2-minute shower. One good day almost wiped out the memory of 100 bad ones. Maybe, just maybe, they were turning a corner. She placed her son back in the cart with a kiss, and headed toward check-out.
“Thank God for one. good. day.” she thinks with a smile.
*****************
The little old lady with powder-gray hair fumbles for the Target dog sticker when she sees a young mom approaching. 60 years of hard work, and Miss Betsy still couldn’t find it in her heart to retire. Her joints ache from standing and scanning, but she still finds joy in the interactions she would otherwise not receive in her quiet, dusky apartment.
She offers a receipt and a sticker to the mom with a toddler. She blows kisses to the bouncy boy. He giggles in return.
She smiles at the woman with a full cart at checkout. “What a lovely purse you found! It will work with every season!”
She gives a knowing wink to the mother with a teenager, whose daughter has her arms crossed with a pout. (Mom decided against the floral halter, after all). The sweet old lady hands the receipt to mom, then addresses her daughter.
“Thank God for every day you have your mother. I lost mine twenty years ago, and not a day goes by that I don't miss the chance to argue with her.”
And as the teenager rolls her eyes and mumbles “yes ma’am”, Miss Betsy closes her checkout lane and clocks out for break. With tears gathering in her eyes, and memories flooding her mind, she quietly whispers:
“I really miss that.”

13 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

Yes, we must be kind to everyone, because we don't know what burdens they are bearing.

Hootin Anni said...

It's human nature to want what others have. Whether familia or objects. When I was a teen, it was all about sports cars. Over the years with growing family it was mini-van & station wagons. Now, no matter as long as it gets me where I'm going. (How did we get on the subject of cars?)

Changes in the wind said...

This was a good post and a good reminder to simply be thankful.

Arlene G said...

It takes so little to be kind to others. I have always had a heart for young moms, struggling with motherhood, tight finances and in need of a shoulder to cry on or a high five. That is why I loved MOPs.. I know you have the same heart for those girls too Mari. When I look at pictures of my children when they were little, I miss those days. I would love to hug that little one again.

Kim said...

My mom always used to say, never envy anyone, you have no idea what their story is...have a great week!

Michelle said...

There is nothing quite like being thankful and changing one's mindset. This post is a great reminder!

Terri D said...

We never know a stranger's story. I needed this reminder today, Mari. I work on being patient with myself and with others all the time. Remembering that we don't know what someone else is dealing with is always important. Thanks for these very real stories that illustrate real life and the human condition. Excellent.

Sparky said...

Excellent lessons in never take what we have for granted. Thank you for the uplifting message. xx

Debi said...

Beautiful... thank you for sharing.

Jeanette said...

Thank you for sharing this lovely story! This post brought tears to my eyes. Maybe it's because I have begun scanning old pictures to our computer for storage and have been feeling pretty nostalgic as of late! All the pictures of when we were so young and our kids were so little and driving me crazy! I really miss that!

Henny Penny said...

These little stories were good to read. Good reminders for me. Thank you Mari.

Connie said...

A neat story ...and it is so true.

Jenny the Pirate said...

I guess I need to hang out at Target more. Haaahahaha just kidding. I think I have something in my eye.

There are a great many things I really miss too ... and most of them are never coming back. It's truly sad.

xoxo