August 1, 2001
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Ode To Juice
There we were in the grocery store... me and Jim, my son, who was at that age where he was too big to sit in the seat part of the grocery cart, but too small to reliably stand beside me while shopping. (What, 16 months or so?) Rather, he stood in the basket part of the cart, which was serving as a rolling playpen of sorts.
At this point, Jim was drinking those 8 oz. glass juice bottles (like the one pictured, but taller), and I had placed several of such into the basket. As we rolled along, Jim picked one up, held it carefully outside the cart and dropped it. The glass bottle crashed to the floor, sending juice everywhere, much to Jim's delight. Other shoppers looked at me in disgust, no doubt thinking "There's one of those people that can't control their kids." The guy with the mop came to the rescue, and I slinked off.
When I got home, I called a friend who has a daughter, Shauna, who is 3 months older than Jim. Shauna has Down's syndrome. Her mom (Chris) and I often compared new-mom-notes, so I told her of this terrible trial I'd just been through at the grocery.
"Let me get this straight," Chris said. "Jimmy picked up a glass bottle of juice, held it outside the cart, and dropped it to the floor."
"YES!" I exclaimed.
Chris: "Be glad he can."
This changed my entire view of childraising, forever. Thanks, Chris and Shauna, wherever you are. (At the time of this story, Shauna was attending classes to teach her how to use her opposable thumb. This didn't come naturally to her.)
Comments (21)
I have a cousin who has down's. He's a wonderful and beautiful child. Yet knowing him makes me realize how lucky I am that my kids are healthy. Isnt' it funny, the things we take for granted?
Wow.
it's amazing how we can take something that small for granted. thank you for sharing that.
Excellent tale, well worth remembering and sharing.
Good blog!
Okay, point well taken! I agree.
Wow. Great story.
The Duchess
That is a great story!
( I am ashamed to admit, I laugh when kids do things like that. The kind of things like that that makes others give you dirty looks.)
I just noticed your Birthday is July 26th, I am July 27th!Pretty Kewl,,,,,, TWO Leos
Thank you for the eye-opening story.
I like the perspective and reality check there
Thanks for sharing that! Funny how we take little things for granted isn't it?
This story is so touching. We who are, "normal," truly take our abilities for granted. We should stop everyday to thank our creator for the blessing.
Your friend gave you great advice! Break it down, Jim!
Nice story!
Great weekend!
That's a great illustration of appreciating what we usually consider a given.
I like your site!
Thanks!!
**hugging my kids**
Well, this blog certaintly made me think. I remember how frustrated I used to get with children that I used to work with, I should have been happy for them that they were healthy and able to do the things they did. Fantastic blog.
ps: I expect a lot of the disgusted people are probably not parents themselves, and don't understand how children love to get into things like that. Maybe one day they will find out, and then it will be their turn
Thank you for sharing that story with us - it really helps put the rest of life into perspective...
there'll always be others worse off than us unfortunately.
so lets be content and realize how much we have 