Weekly grocery shopping at a supermarket must be one of the most inefficient processes of daily living. First we take stuff off the shelves and into our shopping carts. Then at the checkout we take things out of our carts and onto the conveyor belt. Then we take the bags off of the conveyor belt and back into our carts. At the car, we take the bags out of the cart and into the car. Once home, we take the bags out of the car and into the house. The final step is taking stuff out of the bags and into their storage places in the house.
A long time ago when the kids were little I tried phoning it in. You place your grocery order by phone or online and it's delivered right to your door. There's only one in/out from the bags to your shelves. But that shopping as an experience was a shadow of its usual self. There's something about seeing and appreciating the bounty that's available to us that's important to me keeping my life of abundance in perspective.
This has come into my contemplation at this time because the Hubby is working on the weekends so it's just me and the Beamer for grocery shopping. The Beamer loves grocery shopping. He doesn't worry about time constraints. He never has an agenda. He doesn't have any preconceived expectations. He just lives in the exact moment that he's in and gets all the enjoyment he can from it. For the Beamer, the weekly trip to the grocery store is an adventure. It's an opportunity to observe lots of interesting looking people. It's a time to try out different foods. It's a place with wide open spaces to practice walking (away). Every aisle you turn down has attractive items on the shelves to grab and touch.
The Beamer's not worried by his mother's exasperation. He knows she'll get it eventually.
The Beamer is just home after spending 10 days in hospital. He had Toxic Shock Syndrome that was caused by an infection that started in his leg. It was very scary. Initially the Beamer was intubated and sedated in the Intensive Care Unit. The Hubby and I spent 6 long days of worry standing by his bed watching him lie there. Occasionally he would crack open his unfocused and morphine-glazed eyes and it would cause a stir amongst us. Many of our family and friends stood with us and we would all stare at his silent sedated body.
My cousin Terry brought us almonds she glazed herself. She brought us brownies. She brought us Banana-Date Muffins that were healthy with bran, dates, raisins, and cranberries. And we felt a little better.
I was always cold in the hospital. The air conditioning was cranked way up. A sweater was always necessary. But lying still in his ICU bed with nurses and numerous other medical people tending to him, the Beamer was always uncovered. So we fussed with his blanket. It became our reason for being there. I once explained to one of his nurses that the blanket was such a big deal because it was the only thing we could control. When she later found out I was a social worker she said "I thought so". Apparently the blanket = control remark was the giveaway.
Scarlett and the Adolescent keeping the Beamer company while he sleeps
I was barely hungry for those 10 days. But my sister and brother-in-law discovered a French patisserie right next to Scarlett's daycare. I was surprised at how easily I could devour too-many-to-count almond croissants, apple danishes, almond brioche, pain au chocolat, fruit tarts. Once, the Hubby, in a sleep-deprived haze, protested that we couldn't possibly continue to eat all these rich decadent pastries. The next time they brought tamari roasted almonds. We were bereft. Why did you listen to me?! the Hubby wailed. Thankfully they never listened again. We were comforted.
No longer sedated but very sleepy. Recuperation takes a lot of energy.
The Daughter and the Adolescent were there every day for hours at a time. Having them there was a huge comfort. The Adolescent played music for his brother. One ear bud in the Adolescent's ear and the other in the Beamer's ear. The Adolescent played him gangsta rap, reggae, soft pop, rock. It was determined that the Beamer preferred Bob Marley.
The Daughter agreed to stay home one night to supervise her brother who was having some friends over since the Hubby and I were at the hospital. Her payment was fiercely negotiated. She settled for One Shoe from a pair that she coveted.
Maureen brought us her celebrated Chocolate Chip Cookies. Her daughter Meredith made the dough, eating a good portion of it along the way. What was left was baked and gave a bit of comfort to many in the hospital waiting room that day. These are the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever tasted. One bite of a cookie and I was right back to Friday afternoon teas when the kids were little. Although we didn't experience it as such at the time, it seems now that everything was more innocent and carefree then. Eating those cookies made me a little happier.
Beaming resumes
Finally the Beamer began beaming once again. What a horrible time when the lights were dim. Deep appreciation for our family and friends who just know so well how to make us feel better. Calls, visits, and messages of concern and support. And, as always, plenty of baked goods.
