Grocery shopping has always been a challenge for my family.  Let’s just say Elizabeth lacks in the proprioception and grace departments. Her tendency to stand smack in the middle of the isle isn’t usually received well by shoppers who are in a hurry. Unfortunately, those who are making that “quick run” to the store get slowed down momentarily by my kid. There have been times when she backs up right into the canned soup or neatly stacked fruit knocking a few items out of place. As hard as I try to avoid this, things still happen. I’m convinced that by the time we’re done shopping everyone in the store knows her name because of my constant re-directing and calling out for her.

Today, I left her at home with the nurse while my husband and I took care of the shopping on our own. Sometimes these child-free trips tend to feel like a mini-vacation! As we meandered around the store I noticed a woman walking around looking for someone. Her face showed concern…. “Eddy, Eddy” she yelled. She had everyone’s attention. Some people stared while others straight up laughed at her. My special-needs-mom instinct told me she was looking for a person with some kind of disability. Within a few seconds she began to walk in my direction holding the hand of a young man with obvious learning disabilities. I could hear her saying “YOU NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!” As we made eye contact, I told her how relieved I was she had found him. Instantly, she began to cry and tell me how hard it was taking care of Eddy. I told her I understood because I normally had to shop with my daughter. The challenges we face are endless, stretching our patience like nothing else and tapping into unimaginable fears. Her rude spectators were clueless and insensitive! It’s hard to believe that people can be this mean. Later, I ran into her again and she told me that Eddy had apparently wandered off trying to find a bathroom but couldn’t find it and decided to “go” in the middle of the store isle. The store manager had assigned an employee to follow them around for the rest of her shopping trip. If you remember, pray for this woman and other special needs parents who often find themselves in similar situations.

Some days are harder and on those days, I hold on to God’s promise in 1 Thessalonians 5:24