We have finally arrived in Virginia to camp on our son-and daughter-in-laws beautiful farm for 10 glorious days together and with our grandsons, when they were at home. We spent time with the horses and walking the grounds. The weather is miraculously warm and dry.
Needing to shop in town, I found myself standing in an aisle in a Charlottesville, VA grocery store, fully masked with shopping list on the phone, in front of the spice display. They are displayed of course, alphabetically. The list said, “cinnamon.” So I scanned the display, my eyes rising and rising to the jars beginning with A, B and C, at the tip top of the display, the highest level.
The trials of being short; I can’t reach things easily and rely on step stools, metal reachers and a husband who can reach to a reasonable height. My walking steps are shorter than most of our friends, so I have to hustle to keep up. I need cushions to sit on chairs, for comfort and to avoid having my chin hit the table almost like a child who can barely reach the plate. I have trouble with high bars in the closets, mirrors hung too high to apply makeup and see what I am doing and more complaints. I suppose there are advantages, I can be in front rows in chorales, photographs and other group alignments. However I forever hold on to the adage I picked up in an Irish Park, quoting the words of a friendly looking, ceramic green frog, upon being asked, “how come you are so short?” responded with, “I am as big as I need to be.” I have blogged about this in the past but the problem becomes more intense as the years fly on by and I have used this phrase endlessly. Back to aisle 10 and my dilemma.
The spice jar seemed to be 10’ above my head. With no step stool in site as they had disappeared from the grocery store aisles years ago-liability issues I am sure. I felt the frustration. Not a soul was in site, neither clerk or customer. The store was not busy. I wandered a couple of aisles away looking for someone, anyone, no one to be seen, I returned to Aisle 10, still empty of people.
Finally, a lovely woman came down the isle, tall and friendly looking. I asked if she would reach the jar for me and indeed she did. After a big thank you, we talked for a bit. She is from the area, raises her kids, works nearby in the caretaking field. I shared my gratitude for her work and we shared our joy in watching Charlottesville grow and blossom from the days even before our son and daughter in law moved here. We did sadly recall the agony brought to this town during 2017 insurrection in downtown Charlottesville, leading to many injuries and deaths and that horrible time in our lives. Ironically, the trial surrounding that case begins this week. We can hope for justice and hold our breaths to that end. We needed to get back to our shopping lists so we did elbow bumps and both agreed it was fun to have met. Once again, another opportunity to meet a wonderful person that happens by chance and luck.
We have moved on to Charlotte, NC where we are meeting wonderful friends in a long overdue reunion and are camped in a beautiful campground, the McDowell Nature Reserves smack in the middle of a woods, with sites that are long enough for 2 large motor homes and leveling challenged. (although we were able to magically get perfectly level at the tip top of our site.) Our reunion was a great success but is a long story. It has come to pass that we will be “stuck” in Charlotte for a week or so to await a repair before heading onward. It means postponing all of our plans. This is a good place to be “stranded” and we can meet our dear friends The Rainwaters for two more dinners together. That is a treat!