Supermarket Nostalgia

Sometimes the silliest things make me cry.
I often hold it together for funerals, weddings, sad movies and Hallmark commercials yet a small thing like a rocket cart at a grocery store can bring me to tears. This happened recently. I walked into the store and 
a flood of memories and emotions bombarded me at the site of the blue cart. I remembered days of laughter and crying, tugging and whining, requests to get that certain box of cereal or snacks that only chubby toddler hands could reach. It symbolized an era gone.. I will never be a mom of toddlers or preschoolers anymore. I know most of you in that current phase of life long for the day when you will be able to go to the grocery store in peace and carefully consider your purchases while casually strolling down the aisles... ahh the joy! But I promise that you will also miss that little person who is your constant companion. I miss the funny things they would innocently say, the arms wrapped around my leg, the warm little body curled in my lap as we read books together. The list goes on and on. There are perks to them growing up yes..I love not having to find sitters anymore and I can give the kids lists and send them off to the corner market on their own. The conversations have matured and usually center around relationships, schoolwork, life decisions. It is rewarding and meaningful (and can be extremely draining too.) 

He definitely doesn't fit anymore

 But as tweens and teenagers the relationship shifts to a healthy independence and significant decrease in the need for "mom time". I know this is part of God's perfect plan to eventually get them out of the house and ready for real life. But sometimes I just miss a giggling toddler strapped into the cart in front of me, sharing every moment of the day together.