Tonight's picture was taken in October of 2003. Mattie was a year and half old. Fall festivals became a family tradition every October. That weekend, we took Mattie to a Fall festival that also had a petting zoo. I just love Mattie's expression... he didn't know what to make out of this very large pig. I was showing Mattie how to pet the pig, but he wasn't having any of it. That said, he wasn't frightened and did not want to leave, Mattie was just cautious. Not a bad quality to have when something is larger than you are!
Quote of the day: Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace. ~ May Sarton
This morning, after dropping my dad off at his memory care center, I headed to the grocery store. I remember when I first went to this store, I was totally overwhelmed. I thought I would never figure out where anything was, given that it is enormous. But now doing this for three years, weekly, I zoom around the store, knowing where everything I need is located. It is reminder to me that doing anything for the first time, is always scary and with age, things get ten times more daunting. Despite having a full cart each week, I always go to the self checkout area. First off, it is a control issue, as I want to scan and bag things in a certain order. The self check out helpers all know me, and they never stop me even when I have way more than 20 items in the cart. One of the self check out helpers chats with me weekly. Literally I know about her parents, her sister, her neighbors, and other issues. She tells me that for the most part she is introverted, yet looks forward to chatting with me. In any case, this store employee is part of my weekly community.
When I got back home, I put away groceries, dealt with the laundry and some emails, and then worked with my mom to try on the new shoes I bought her. Sure enough the podiatrist told me to get my mom a particular size, and naturally she was WRONG. The shoes were too big, which would be incredibly dangerous for my mom with her balance issues. So I debated.... do I return the shoes and order another pair on-line, or do I just take her to the store? I decided it was safer to take her to the store in the mall. But I did not account for this in my timing today, as I am always cognizant of when I have to pick my dad up at the center. Any case, we went to the mall, and I could see my mom just can't walk at my pace. Also she won't walk independently, she either holds my hand or arm. Given that I wasn't sure where the store was in the mall, I parked my mom and ran around until I found the store. I came back for my mom and took her into Clark's. My mom had a great experience there and the store clerk literally said to me.... you are an incredible daughter! As I always say to those who commend me..... I had great parents.
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