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IT WAS A TYPICAL MONDAY MORNING FOR US. 

EARLY. SLEEPY. MOODY. LONGING TO REWIND TO FRIDAY NIGHT.

DADDY BACK TO WORK.

GROCERY LIST LONG.

IN THE MIDST OF FEEDING, CLOTHING, DISTRACTING, AND ENCOURAGING MY CREW, I PAUSED LONG ENOUGH TO NOTICE THE BEAUTIFUL RAIN SHOWER CUTTING THROUGH THE BRILLIANT MONDAY MORNING SUN.

WALKING THE WELL WORN PATH FROM OUR FRONT DOOR TO THE STERILE STAIRWAY, THE CHILDREN SUCCUMB TO TEMPTATION AND MAKE A MAD DASH IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.  LAUGHTER FILLS THE LONG CORRIDOR, WHILE MY PATIENCE IS LOST. 

ONCE SQUIRMY BODIES ARE WRESTLED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, WE RESUME OUR COURSE, MAKING OUR WAY INTO THE DUNGEON-LIKE GARAGE. SLIDING DOORS OPEN, AND THE CHILDREN ARE SAFELY SECURE IN THEIR FIVE-POINT HARNESS.  I TURN THE KEY PAUSING LONG ENOUGH TO NOTICE MY IRRITABLE MOOD.   (POSSIBLY MY LEAST FAVORITE DISPOSITION.)

THE RAIN BREAKS, REVEALING A SKY THAT IS TORN BETWEEN THE DEEP, DARK GREYS AND PEACEFUL, PALE BLUES OF SUMMER.  I NAVIGATE OUR WAY TO THE GROCERY STORE, PAUSING LONG ENOUGH TO APPRECIATE THE CHATTER FROM THE BACK OF THE VAN.

ARRIVING AT THE GROCERS, I AM RELIEVED THE RAIN HAS STOPPED.  I WILL NOT HAVE TO BATTLE THE RAIN AS I LOAD AND UNLOAD.  AS MY MOOD LIGHTENS, THE CHILDREN'S SINK AS THEY DISCOVER THERE ARE NO CAR CARTS TO BE PUSHED.  CALMING THEIR CRIES WITH THE PROMISE OF FRUIT SNACKS, WE MAKE OUR WAY THROUGH THE SLIDING DOORS.  I PAUSE LONG ENOUGH TO NOTICE THERE IS A STARBUCKS TUCKED AWAY IN THE CORNER OF THIS NEW GROCERY STORE.  THE PROMISE OF A CAFE AMERICANO REFUELS MY TANK.

WE MAKE OUR WAY THROUGH EACH AISLE, CHECKING ITEMS OFF OUR LIST.  EACH OF US DISTRACTED BY THE COLORS AND LIGHTS OF THE STORE.  IT IS A PEACEFUL PLACE FOR US.  THEY SNACK. WE CHAT.  THEY POINT.  WE BARGAIN.  I ATTEMPT TO PURCHASE ONLY THOSE ITEMS ON MY SCRIBBLED LIST.  I PAUSE LONG ENOUGH TO NOTICE THAT WE ARE NOW HAPPY.

THE LITTLE LADY HELPS ME UNLOAD ITEMS ONTO THE BLACKENED CONVEYOR BELT.  SHE HEAVES.  I ASSIST.  THE LITTLE MAN KEENLY AWARE THAT HE IS NOT HELPING, BUT WATCHING.  ONE DAY, HE TOO, WILL LIGHTEN MY LOAD.  WITH EACH ITEM THAT IS SCANNED, THE CLERK ENGAGES THE LITTLE MAN IN PLAYFUL CONVERSATION.  THE LITTLE LADY IS OFF TOUCHING A BALLOON.  THE CLERK IS EQUALLY AMUSED AND SMITTEN.  SO IS THE LITTLE MAN.  OUR FOOD IS BAGGED AND WE MAKE OUR WAY TOWARDS THE DOOR.  THE CLERK PASSES US, AND THROUGH HER THICK ACCENT I HEAR, "ENJOY THEM."  I PAUSE LONG ENOUGH TO LET HER WORDS SINK IN.  AN UNEXPECTED REMINDER IN THE MIDST OF A TYPCIAL MONDAY.