I know its weird. They are like some crazy time machine that give me e-motion sickness. I was not planning on buying it last night. But the time was right as we strolled through Meijer yesterday evening. We made our way our of the haircare isle towards the grocery section of the store and I tried to take a short cut through the seasonal department. My two girls stopped short. "SCHOOL SUPPLIES!!" they chanted. And, ok I will give them that one. I love paper and pens and organizers. LOVE. But I am not ready for what they represent.
A simple pink backpack was selected by my 5 year old and when I turned around to put it in the cart, there they were.
Lunch boxes.
Oh the memories.
Oh the imminent,
the unknown,
the quickly approaching.
Ellie walked over and chose one with one of the latest teen stars on it. I counter offered with a princess one. We eyed each other and put them both back.
I found the cutest one denim with ruffles that came with glitter puff paint so that she could decorate it AND it had a spot for a picture from home. You know so she won't miss me too much while she is gone. ALL DAY.
She shook her head no and wandered the isles. I stood and waited and remembered.
Remembered
when I myself carried a hard plastic lunch box with no insulation but a lunch box none the less.
a certain bologna sandwich.
feeling too shy to talk to anyone during lunch and feeling close to home as I pulled out the box.
making friends and feeling grown up as set my box on my desk and chatted with those around me.
Remembered
when she was born.
how content she was to be by me.
the sudden change from content baby to strong willed, wild child
feeling like I would never get a break
watching her every second for the next thing she would jump from, to, or on.
This one mom! I am getting this one!! I check it over. Pink with leopard spots. Leopards like to jump. Price is right.
Perfect.
She held it for most of the grocery trip. Clutched it all the way home, and showed it off to dad as soon as she walked in the door.
Soon she will be clutching it as she walks back out.
Lunch boxes make me cry.
4 comments:
We had brown bags. :( I always wanted a lunch box with the matching thermos. My best friend had a Oscar the grouch one and I was soooooo jealous.
You are going to make me cry! I am so not ready for those days yet, although I realize that they are coming all too soon. Keep her little as long as you can - and praise God that she is also ready to fly (or jump!)
I understand that feeling - I have it with school supplies. I love the piles of new crayons, markers, pencils, etc. but get sad about it meaning the end of summer.
I was semi depressed that the gigantic cardboard summer signs are suddenly missing at Target--replaced with school signs. My kids yelled yesterday "where's the giant corn on the cob?! Mom, where is it? They WOULDN'T take it down, would they?!"
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