For those of you who know me well, you also know that I love
to shop. It could be ‘popping tags’ at a thrift store, watching Robert try out
instruments at a music store, searching for treasures from times gone by at an
antique store, rescuing chairs from a yard sale, or one of my favorites -
shopping for fresh ingredients at the grocery for a wonderful dinner by
myDarlin.
The first time that we went to Harry’s Whole Food Market,
Robert was beside himself. A specific memory that stands out is Robert telling
me about each of the different types of mushrooms, and how each is used in
specific dishes. I loved just to take photos of him as he shopped with pure joy
plastered on his face. That look was replicated often as we shopped music
stores.
Today, I ventured out to our local Steinmart, which normally
has a pretty eclectic collection of merchandise. As I perused the racks of
clothing, I came across a dress that was familiar to the touch and immediately
took me back to last summer when I was frantically looking for a casual dress
to pack for our Hawaii trip. As I slipped it over my head, it fell over my body
nearly touching the floor, and I became giddy that I had found the perfect
dress for our trip. Robert was waiting in the truck, or Tacoma as we know him,
crushing candies as he didn’t particularly have an affinity for shopping for
clothes. As I opened the door, I excitedly raved about this perfect dress to
him and he was genuinely happy that I was happy. I think about the many times
over the past year that I have worn that dress, and how each time he would tell
me how wonderful I looked. Today, as I slipped the dress over my head in the
dressing room, I thought for a moment that Robert could be waiting in the truck
for me and then realized that my world has been forever changed.
A strong feeling came
over me to make my way to the other side of the store…. and there it was, a red
arrow. A sign from myDarlin’ Robert to Keep Looking Up.
I am filled with gratitude as I think about our shopping
trips together over the past eleven years. Each one a chapter in my memory celebrating
this journey we travel on earth. The ordinary is extraordinary.
#KeepLookingUp
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