I feel I should preface this post with the fact that I do
not have children. Despite the fact that I have been an active aunt for many
years, I’m also not going to delusion myself in thinking I know what it’s like
to take the kids out while you run errands or do your holiday shopping. I will
say that I do think there are sadly, a lot of parents out there who need to
learn to actually keep an eye on their children while out and about –
especially during such busy shopping seasons as we are in now. There are people
who are moving up and down the aisles at a constant rate these days in the
stores hunting for the perfect gifts for family and friends. Needless to say,
it’s a hectic season and one where we should all perhaps do our best to be
cordial and considerate to those around us while out in public. How people
behave generally in stores though is not my main concern here.
While at a local Meijer store today with a friend of mine
who was doing a bit of holiday shopping, I turned in an aisle to go off and
find a scanner to price check something. As soon as I turned around my foot
caught to something that nearly sent me flying forward. Thankfully I was able
to catch my balance and not fall flat on my face in the aisle. However, I felt
completely and utterly awful to say the least when I turned around to see what I
had tripped over and spotted a startled little girl. I immediately apologized
up and down to the poor child and inquired to her if she was okay. I turned
around to who I presume was the child’s mother who nonchalantly told me it was
okay, even as I apologized to her as well. I found myself feeling just horrid
of the event as I slinked my way past the parents out of the aisle apologizing again
on my way out of it. As I made my way out of the aisle I couldn’t help noticing
that nobody walked over to the child I tripped over to check on her. It seemed
the parents of this little girl had just gone back to yakking with someone else
in the aisle.
