Saturday my mom and I went shopping in Dothan. She was looking for a gold candle ring that she just had to have...(it's a need, right up there with food and water.) Anyways, so we looked at Pier 1, and we had no luck. She said it was either at Michaels, Stein Mart, Kohls, or Inside Accents.
Let me remind you that it is a Saturday afternoon...about 2 and a half weeks before Christmas....in the busiest part of Dothan. Oh, and for those who don't know, I love shopping. and for those who can't tell, that statement is dripping with sarcasm. I definitely have to be in the mood to shop, and I just wasn't really in the mood to look at 4 stores for Christmas decorations, especially when we don't need any! I mean, come to my house, it's basically a winter wonderland without real snow.
However, my mother did not seem to care about my opinion. So we left Pier 1, and started off to the next store. Then my mom remembered that she needed to buy my 2 year old cousin a baby doll, so we made a quick turn and pulled into toys r us. I honestly haven't been there in years. We went in and finally found a Cabbage Patch kid that was the same hue as my cousin and didn't have the name Alfondina Alsya (that really was the name of a light hair, blue eyed white baby). So we bought the doll named Sharon Naomi, and left the store. When we got in the car and pulled out of the parking lot, I shared an observation with my mom.
See in toys r us, we saw a lot of parents. I especially saw a lot of moms. Then when we were leaving, I saw 3 SUVs with women driving them. They all were alone, and all looked like they were on a mission. My observation/ question that I shared with my mom was I wonder how many of those women are shopping for their kids who believe in Santa Claus and expect to get those presents on Christmas day. and how many of those moms feel unappreciated and lonely as they buy for their kids and probably don't get much thanks. I know that the joy on the child's face on Christmas will bring the parents joy, but still. Then my mom said, "they probably feel lonely as they shop and then they'll get home today and have to clean up the house, cook dinner, and do laundry. See what you have to look forward to?!"
Now don't think my mom is trying to make me not want to have kids, or make me feel like my brother and I were burdens as children. And we all know that Wesley and I were appreciative children because I found out about Santa from my sweet big brother when I was the young age of 5. (but I'm not bitter). I think she was saying you can't give and expect anything in return. Whether independent, professional women like to admit it or not, the role of women in the household has been and probably always will be the keeper of the house. Laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. And I'm sure many women get lonely as they do their motherly duties. I don't know what goes on because I'm not a mother, but I hope I will be one day. I'll just have to remember Hebrews 13:5 when we're reminded of God's love, and he promises never to fail us or abandon us. Don't know about you but that gives me the warm fuzzies.
By the way, we did find that candle thing...and it goes so well with the other festive decorations...
