Could you pick up my prescription?

Sure.

(Runs to the pharmacy, Trader Joe’s is across the street, we’re low on milk, need our hot cocoa in the morning, okay, quick trip.)

As I was coming to the checkout lines a dad with a very young toddler in a stroller was about to cross my path. It was not quite dinnertime and too late for a nap, she was not home and not fed and she suddenly arched her back, threw her arms up and legs out and let out a yell. She didn’t have the words yet but man, she had the volume. I think everybody in the store heard her.

I stopped my cart. Sir?

He took a deep breath, ready for the–lecture, scold, whatever was coming, as I did a sudden dive into the purse.

(Thank you knitters in Peru!)

His face transformed.

I smiled and continued over towards a clerk because it wasn’t about me, I wanted them to have a good time having an outing.

I looked back from there to see him pointing at me and then looking back at her and her waving bye-bye/thank you/look at me being cute the way little ones do. She was giggling. Wow, what a difference.

As I was loading my car they strolled past with their groceries and a small finger puppet on a small hand down there waved bye bye again.

(p.s. And yes, she got a lion. They can practice their roars together!)