I haven’t taken my boys with me to the grocery store in a while. It’s more pleasant for everyone that way. Not that they don’t behave well in the aisles, they generally do. I just like being able to focus, do a sort of walking meditation from one end of the store to the other. As for the boys, well, groceries aren’t very interesting.
I decided tonight would be different, a time for one of those logical transitions that tug at my heart and remind me how quickly children grow up. Once we'd all entered the store, I told my older son to get a second cart and gave him a list of two items to get and then find me for further instructions.
I used to do this for my mom all the time. She'd handed me a list and off I'd go in search of whatever. Family lore includes a story of me finding all but one item on the list. For the life of me I couldn't imagine what “Frog Wabbles” were supposed to be. She and I enjoyed a bout of intense laughter over that one. Then I went and retrieved frozen waffles.
Tonight, while little brother and I shopped, big brother gathered several items. By the time we met up at the cash register he'd graduated from follower to shopper. In the scheme of things it’s no big deal. Except that it is. Parenthood is full of a gazillion big and little transitions, every one significant to some degree. No wonder our job is a difficult business. The speed at which we’re required to gather and process experiences, information, emotions, realizations, changes to our daily routine (to name a few), and somehow be able to decide what to do next at every turn, is truly awesome.