Remember to Savor
Today I went grocery shopping by myself.
It was the best feeling in the world!
For eight years my husband and I have been having heated discussion over who would go grocery shopping and whether or not the shopper should take the kids. We may have even once discussed whether or not shopping child-free was considered a break.
Today it was liberating to take my time and walk through the store comparing prices and labels. I managed to remember to get things like tape and soap that I always seem to forget.
Have I mentioned how much I enjoy having both kids in school full time?
Everyone kept telling me that once my kids were off to school I would be bored. I wouldn't know what to do with all my free time.
They were so wrong.
Besides the fact that I keep very busy with volunteer work, writing, and taking care of my assorted friends and family, the hours between eight and three just seem to fly by.
Today I thoroughly enjoyed spending forty-five minutes of that time at the grocery store. But I can sense that someday the freedom of shopping alone will become mundane, and I don't want that to happen.
I want to remember that there was a time when it took me forever to shop because of little hands grabbing for things and little voices pleading for things. I want to remember the days of struggling to schlep a newborn and a toddler around with all my groceries in tow.
Today while I was taking a shower I wanted to remember that there was a time when I wasn't able to get in the shower for days. There were years of my life when it was hard just to get to the bathroom.
I am determined not to forget how good I have it now. Suddenly I have a little being in my house who takes out the trash immediately and with no argument whenever she is told. That little servant--I mean--person will even go to the fridge and grab me a Diet Coke if I ask her nicely.
I don't miss the baby and toddler days. They were hard. I loved them while I was in them, but I am more than happy to be where I am right now. I must savor these times. I must! Because the pubescent years aren't too far away. And I sense I'm going to pay.
It was the best feeling in the world!
For eight years my husband and I have been having heated discussion over who would go grocery shopping and whether or not the shopper should take the kids. We may have even once discussed whether or not shopping child-free was considered a break.
Today it was liberating to take my time and walk through the store comparing prices and labels. I managed to remember to get things like tape and soap that I always seem to forget.
Have I mentioned how much I enjoy having both kids in school full time?
Everyone kept telling me that once my kids were off to school I would be bored. I wouldn't know what to do with all my free time.
They were so wrong.
Besides the fact that I keep very busy with volunteer work, writing, and taking care of my assorted friends and family, the hours between eight and three just seem to fly by.
Today I thoroughly enjoyed spending forty-five minutes of that time at the grocery store. But I can sense that someday the freedom of shopping alone will become mundane, and I don't want that to happen.
I want to remember that there was a time when it took me forever to shop because of little hands grabbing for things and little voices pleading for things. I want to remember the days of struggling to schlep a newborn and a toddler around with all my groceries in tow.
Today while I was taking a shower I wanted to remember that there was a time when I wasn't able to get in the shower for days. There were years of my life when it was hard just to get to the bathroom.
I am determined not to forget how good I have it now. Suddenly I have a little being in my house who takes out the trash immediately and with no argument whenever she is told. That little servant--I mean--person will even go to the fridge and grab me a Diet Coke if I ask her nicely.
I don't miss the baby and toddler days. They were hard. I loved them while I was in them, but I am more than happy to be where I am right now. I must savor these times. I must! Because the pubescent years aren't too far away. And I sense I'm going to pay.
Labels: family, get to know me, kids, life at home, parenting, school, siblings
posted by Major Mom at 8:09 PM
Karen is a military wife and stay-at-home mother to a seven-year-old daughter and a five-year-old son. A Boston native who’s lived in the Shreveport-Bossier area for eight years, she spends most of her time volunteering at her kids’ school, supporting her husband, playing with her friends and watching her hair turn gray. In between, she writes about her life here on her blog.
3 Comments:
I can't tell you how much I LOVE to go to the grocery by myself! LOL!!! I'm glad to see I'm not crazy! (This is Julie, by the way...in case you hadn't figured it out from the comment I left on your previous post about the birth certificate)
You know...as a single person, I HATE going to the grocery store. All the items are made for a minimum of two, and if I buy it...most likely it will go bad before I can finish it.
Of course...with no kids, I can make it down the cereal aisle in only one minute.
Julie: Oh, I knew it was you right away. There's only one Julie. ;-)
Patrick: The grass is always greener. You can take my kids shopping and then you can cook for us. ;-)
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