For those of you unfamiliar with my life, in addition to
being a single woman in my fifties, I am also the mother of two amazing grown
daughters. My oldest daughter is also a mom and I have an adorably smart, cute
and witty 5 year old grandson. Since they live about six hours from me, we plan
small weekend getaways occasionally to visit and catch up on life. This past
weekend was one of our visits.
We are not elaborate nor do we plan elaborate things. Our
goal is simple pleasures and lots of giggles and memories. Most of which are
well documented on social media for posterity.
There are always moments on these trips that cause a pause
and for the next few moments, I will recount a couple for you.
Please Wait – For Breadsticks
We are an impatient humanity, growing ever more so by the
moment. We want to do everything in an instant. There are drive-thru drug stores
where you can pick up your medicine through a window. No time to stop and talk
to the pharmacist about how a medicine might actually react to or work for you. We can check ourselves out at the grocery store. Does
anyone know the produce code for Gala apples? And did you know that you can
actually deposit a check into your bank account just by taking a picture of it
using a phone ap? How is that even possible? We are inventing more and more
ways to get things accomplished at the snap of a finger. But all of that is irrelevant when we get
hungry. For some reason, beyond my reason, we will suspend our lives for breadsticks
and a Caesar salad.
Look, I’m not complaining. I love Olive Garden. I have to
admit however, that as we were standing in the crowded lobby on a Saturday
evening with an hour long wait, I looked around at this phenomenon that crossed
all economic and social segments of our society. A single mom and her small
daughter. A family birthday celebration. A lovely young couple on a date.
People who needed to eat those breadsticks and those who probably should just
stick to the salad. Well dressed. Strangely dressed. Those who needed more
dress. That one room contained a micro-universe and at that moment we were all
united with the same goal. I know, that’s pretty deep for pasta, but it is
true. Within those walls were probably countless red lights run and instant
messages sent and still, without fail we all made the choice to stand there and
just simply do nothing and wait.
I am not going to say it left me feeling better about the
human race; there were no meaningful discussions or problems solved that
evening. Just a random acknowledgement that we are not all that different after
all. At least not when it comes to those warm breadsticks.
And yet..….I am pretty sure if the pharmacist said we had to
stand in the waiting area reading the latest National Inquirer for an hour
before picking up our prescription, most of us would just have to itch, cough
or hurt, because there is no way we would ‘inconvenience’ ourselves that long!
Now what does THAT say?
Let’s Go To Mayberry
- Unless You Actually Have To Go
I am just going to admit this, even though I know it will be
unpopular. I never was a big fan of The
Andy Griffith Show. (Please stop throwing things at the computer.) I didn’t
hate it; just didn’t love it. But the town we stayed in this weekend was close
to Mt Airy and Pilot Mountain. Which, of course, is where Andy Griffith was
born and the basis for the Town of Mayberry and Mt. Pilot from the show. So on
Sunday we went to check it all out.
Pilot Mountain is in fact that; a mountain. It was beautiful
with easy access points for an old woman and a 5 year old. Very nice visit.
Nature does not close on Sundays. However, we were not quite as lucky in Mt
Airy. Obviously it is the off season and most of the main tourists attractions
are closed on Sundays. No Floyd’s Barbershop or Otis’ Jail Cell. Despite that it
was still a quaint looking little Main Street, even though quite deserted, so
we decided to explore it anyway. We did find a cute General Store type
establishment and I had a great conversation with the guy who ran it. He
pointed out a few other places we could try. With so few visitors this time of
year, business was welcomed. Or so I thought. Now, for anyone who has ever
traveled with a young child, you know that certain bodily functions often come
up urgently and with little warning. We were in one of those other stores when
this happened to us. I have never had any trouble gaining access for these
little emergencies so I very politely asked the shop owner if we (as in the
child) could use her restroom. Much to my surprise, her answer was a solid No. There were public restrooms at the
end of the block if we needed them. Hmmm. I don’t get riled easily and even
then I usually keep my thoughts to myself. But we are talking about my grandson
here. So in this particular instance I surmised out loud that she obviously did
not want or need our business that day and out the front door we went.
Once the crisis was resolved we quite defiantly walked past
that store front on to the next one with an Open sign. The lady within those
walls was much friendlier. Store was brightly. Prices lower. We felt
vindicated. Unfortunately, things again ‘moved’ in a direction that required
additional attention. So once again I politely entreated with this lady for the
use of her facilities. What? Again with the, No. Again with the end of the
block speech. Really? Somehow I do not
believe Aunt Bee would have reacted this way! Barney would have been much more
accommodating. With no other recourse except to leave again, we made our way
back down to what was becoming a familiar street. And afterwards made our way
quickly out of town, our spending money safely tucked in our pockets. Needless to say I was extremely disappointed
in Andy’s home town. The one place where you would expect more hospitality and
understanding. I am fairly certain that
I will never again venture into this sad representation of Mayberry. It is not
a nice place to ‘go’.
The rest of the weekend went smoothly. We shopped more. Ate
more. And both my daughter and I lost in Putt Putt to a 5 year old. He managed
(4) Holes In One! (Can you say prodigy??) Well, I can!
All in all it was a great trip. Most of us have memories of
trips and excursions with our children when they were young. I consider myself extremely fortunate now to
also be a participant in these adventures with my grandchild. I love being a MeMe.
It is always refreshing to
see the world through the lens of a child. It is easy to lose focus of what is
important or even become cynical with life around us. But spending a couple of
days with a child can restore a sense of joy and wonder in us. We can ride
esca-vators and fight with pillows. Jump way too close to edges of mountains
and eat M&Ms for breakfast.
Who needs Mayberry to provide a simpler view of life? I have
the eyes of a 5 year old.
Hope Out
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