a kind guy

Don't laugh, this is a very long story for something that doesn't seem like a big deal, but it was cool to me.

I try to avoid taking both the girls on my major grocery shopping trips. One because I need the room in the cart and two...Well every parent knows why it's so much nicer to have at the most just one kid, and how glorious it is to just go by yourself.

Lately I've been taking both. Just cause it's the only chance I get and if they're both awake, why not. They do pretty good as long as I (pardon the expression) 'haul balls' as Chris likes to say.

Today I had gotten my nice long list all ready. My recipes for the next few weeks all lined up and I was all set to head out after dinner by myself tonight. Long story short, Zuri wanted to get in her carseat and most definitely did not want to get out. I figured it'd just take her along. She's pretty easy by herself. As fate would have it she didn't have her nap today so this happened on the way to Winco despite me turning up the radio and hollering, "Zuri, stay awake!"

I thought she'd wake up when we got to the store. Nope. She slept the entire time. So imagine me caring this 30 pound sack of potatoes because of course she's flopping all over me and I'm attempting to steer this cart around. I had a good long stare at the syrup about 15 minutes in thinking, "Am I crazy? this is crazy. My arms are already numb and I have a ton more to get." I was about the leave, but I didn't want to find a time when I could come all the way back out to the store. So onward we went!

People were giving me looks, huffing behind me because yes I was going oh so very slow trying to maneuver this cart around with one hand. I thought i'd get some sympathy or giggles from older women who had "been there." Nope.

45 minutes later I made it to the check out line. I couldn't for the life of me figure out how I was going to bend down and get everything out the cart with Z slumped. I couldn't even bend down to get all the stuff in there in the first place. Right when I was about the attempt the mess a guy, maybe 40, with his wife(?) in front of me looked at me and said, "Uh, let me unload your cart." I normally don't accept help when I'm with the girls by myself. I get that from my mom. I like to prove I can do it, but this time I didn't even think about saying 'no' this guy was saving me from a huge headache.

He unloaded my entire cart then hurried and paid and bagged his food and came back to help me bag and load all mine. His wife just waited patiently with their cart until he had me all ready to go. They were the only people who acknowledged that I might need some help. What an awesome guy. I think I said "thank you" and "this is so nice of you" about 20 times and he just nodded and smiled. They didn't really say anything else. He gave me a big smile and wave from his car as I was on my way to my car and off went the nice strangers.

I didn't feel stupid, or pitied, just so so grateful I didn't have to wake up Zuri and handle her sad and cranky or a melt down. What an awesome guy for just taking the time to help me.

That's my very long story for you. I usually just get the, "oh you got your hands full!" or "Oh, I've been there!" comments. Occasionally I get people who open doors for me, or pull a cart out of the stack and push it towards me, but this was by far the nicest act a stranger has done for me. (runner up to yesterdays quick trip to Albertson's. The employees gave Z a balloon and gave me another one when the first popped as we got in the car. They were great). So thank you kind man, you made my day. I'll try to pass along the favor.

O yes, and Happy Easter!