Can I steal that moment?

I like to grocery shop alone. I just can't think if there are others with me. I just can't. It's not just the kids, although I really am flustered if the kids are with me, it's anyone. I can not focus on the task at hand.

How can I price compare if someone is trying to talk to me?

How can I get the job done quickly if someone is so indecisive on which kind of milk they want?

So, when I can, I go alone. Sometimes I will get up earlier than everyone on a Saturday morning, quietly shower and TRY to sneak out of the house. It almost never works, but I try.

The kids always want to go where I go. I could tell them I am going to hell (which might not be far off) and they would want to go. "It's hot in hell" I could say, they would run and put on shorts. "I am going fast, maybe too fast for your little legs" I would push, they would promise to run. "I will NOT be buying you ANYTHING, it will all be food and you can't pick the cereal you want" I would plead, they would say they were fine with that (although you all know, it wouldn't hold true once we were in that damn cereal aisle).

This one morning I was at the store, alone, wondering down each aisle. When I got to the meat section there was a woman and her child, shopping...together.

The mother placed both of her hands on her child's cheeks and kissed him before she leaned into the cooler to retrieve her items.

The child's face was illuminated from the show of affection. I watched attentively as his eyes followed his mom with a love flowing from them. It was amazing. I, from across the aisle could FEEL his love, could feel how happy he was in that moment. I could see how much his mommy meant to him and how special he felt that SHE was his.

I got choked up (and am still now, it was that powerful) and pushed my cart out of the area before I started to lose my emotions there in the middle of the Saturday grocery crowd.

I couldn't help but wonder, how many of those moments have my children blessed me with and I missed it? How many times have I been too preoccupied by what is on the agenda for the night/day/week/month that I have not noticed those waves of pure love? Pure, unconditional love.

Next time I could tell them I am going crazy and when they offer to lace up my straight jacket, I am going to let them and then kiss their faces and wait, wait for that look.