It was a Saturday morning, at the home improvement mecca we call Lowe’s:
Later that morning, at the Home Depot next door to the Lowe’s, because we are masochists (or sadists, if you look at us from our children’s perspective):
After two and half hours spent in various home improvement stores, we walk to our car, hundreds of dollars poorer, quieter, and (the grown-ups, anyway) just a bit pissier. We’ve a long weekend ahead of us, we both know that, and I suggest to David that we break the ol’ budget further and grab a quick lunch out to reset a little. He agrees. I look at Saoirse, reaching to grab her hand before we walk through the parking lot. I’m tired, and a bit sad–this morning didn’t go as I had wanted, and I am really, really hungry, which makes me concerned about the kids. I notice, though, that Saoirse is smiling.
“What’s going on with you?” I asked, then took a breath. “That was a really long morning for you all, wasn’t it?”
Her smile got bigger.
“No, that was fun,” she said. “I got to spend time with my family.” Then she skipped a step, broke the clasp of our hands, and ran toward the open door of the minivan.
It was fun, she said. Saoirse completely surprised me. I love it when she does that. And I’m so, so grateful she feels this way–and not just because I think we’re coming back for more next weekend.
All of our biggest conversations happen in the car. We were on our way to…
Glass half empty: Woke up late. Spent way too much time on the ol’…
Hannah | 9th Apr 16
Thanks for that moment in time – now that I don’t have kids to join in our home improvement trips (and Jordi’s bedroom is still black and purple from her alternative adolescent years) it made me feel a little nostalgic. I also have your lamp’s sister. See IG for evidence.