This early evening, my daughter and I ran to the grocery store to pick up some last-minute items for the house. During my check-out I was standing there with the cashier getting ready to begin my transaction. A lady and her 2 boys ( I would say one boy was about 7 years old and the other pre-teen)came up into the line and began to unload their groceries. The smaller of the 2 boys started to literally take my food and begin to play with it as if he were playing with a ball -- tossing it around and putting his little fingers all over. I caught him doing this and stated to him swiftly and non-agressively, "Honey, do not play with my food, please." His mom stopped what she was doing and gave me a look as if I had just beaten her child blue. I looked her straight in the eye and stated back to her, "I'm going through chemo currently, and your child has many, many germs and I didn't want him transferring his germs onto MY food." The woman didn't utter a word. I mean nothing. She just stared.
I guess honesty and being proactive and direct is something odd to her. I'm sure she was taken aback. Frankly, I don't give a crap. This is probably the first time I've EVER NOT apologized for something so direct. I was so shocked myself.
Now, understand, I, too, am a mom. I've been there and have done that... I'm not a know-it-all, but one thing I do know, it is MY responsibility to be the best parent I can/could be. If nothing else, the child just needed to be made aware and to learn a valuable lesson of NOT touching other people's things. But in this case, of course, I'm being very proactive regarding trying to keep germs as much at bay as possible.
Oh, yeah, and for those who feel I shouldn't be in public at all: Kiss my grits! Just kiss it! I have every RIGHT to be a part of the human race and to conduct business as usual whenever possible! I'm not going to hide just because I may make some individuals uncomfortable out there. If nothing else, it's time in 2011 that people understand there are millions of people out there that are dealing and fighting back away from cancer.
I guess my point is this: Those of you who have children, please be mindful to teach your children and remind them to be respectful of others if they are "different."
I know I am sensitive right now. What a week so far. But as I stood there continuing with my transaction, this woman -- this mother -- tried to stare me down. As if I'm going to engage with her and her "ego issue" regarding her poor little boy. First off, he's not a poor little boy. Children have an amazing way of understanding quickly. They are sharp as tacks. We under-estimate their abilities at times, I think. They are not going to melt if we look or speak to them in a manner that is not filled with melodic sounds. For heaven's sake! Please! I can't expect others to be as sensitive to other's feelings, but all I know is this would have been a perfect opportunity for that woman to have shown him a valuable lesson of life. But NO, I got the total: Don't you ever speak to my child like that again.
Meanwhile, the cashier was so supportive of me and was so genuinely concerned I was ok. I appreciate her support. But I tell you this, I was not about to back down and cave and become a feeble little victim. Hell NO! I wasn't defensive, I was direct & spoke with no inflection of the voice. Get over yourselves over protective parents!
It makes me appreciate all the parents in our neighborhood and those who are in our lives. They are all so wonderful and do such a great job of raising their children, because I never ever have to think twice about children overstepping their boundaries as if they own the cul-de-sac! I love these parents! You are all rock stars!
So I will continue to move forward and continue to do my business as I see fit. I'm not going to be a heat seeking missile on the lookout for little kids touching my stuff, but I am mindful. I have to be. My immune system is thoroughly compromised. It's not my choice to be in this situation! Hello............. If I had it my way, I would have loved to have traded spaces with that woman any day of the week.
So, I'm just sayin............ This too shall pass, I know. But I had to get this out of myself. Tomorrow will be brighter, of course! How can it not? Right?
Can't wait till this is a memory from a long time ago.
Ciao, Ciao!
