Things To Look Forward To – 18/2/11

I went grocery shopping today and as usual when I am shopping with my youngest, I had the cart in the middle of the isle so I could avoid a shopping cart full of surprises - he likes to add whatever he can reach to the cart. I realized there was a gentleman behind me waiting to pass and I apologized and moved over. He said "No worries, shopping with 2 is hard, your hands are full." I had my oldest with me as well.... I told him that this was only half of the troop and he proceeded to tell me about his family and what I have to look forward to.

This kind man told me that the best was yet to come. He also has 4 children and big families are a thing of the past. He told me that although this time should be cherished because they grow way too fast, he understands the stresses that come with a young family. He told me of his 4 grown children, all close in age, who are all out of the house starting lives of their own. He said it was amazing because now they would all gather, most recently at a chalet in Fairmont, and they would, for lack of a better word, Party. The children would bring their significant others, there is now a grandchild and everyone would come together without all the stresses that childhood brings. There would be laughter and memories and it was a time that everyone looked forward to. He told me it was so special and he could enjoy it in a way that never would have been possible when the kids were younger.

He then smiled, waved at my boys and said"good luck and enjoy".  I was pleased with this conversation as what he described, is something that I have thought about often. I wonder what it will be like when my boys are older, I want them to be close and excited to get together. I need to nurture that now!

I however had little time to ponder as my oldest started to question if this man was a stranger and why I was talking to him. I had to have a mini lesson on "stranger danger" right there in the dairy section, complete with role playing. I then had to empty the extra cheese slices, Cheddar cheese X2 and sour cream that had ended up in my cart during this 5 minute conversation. Yup things are crazy, but I wouldn't trade it for anything...