a walmart moment

the halloween costumes are hanging in the grocery section - two aisles are apparently dedicated to occasions - and in a stroke of marketing genius, were placed there to grab the eye of the customer who probably wouldn’t venture further than the coffee aisle.

i wouldn’t have gone looking for costumes, for sure. my kids are grown, now, so what would be the point? but there it was, and there was i, beside young mothers and their clamoring children, eyeing the princess outfits and monster masks.

and for a moment, i felt lost.

how long ago was it that my daughter tugged at the hem of my blouse, asking for “the pretty one, please mama!” how long ago was it that my son grinned appreciatively at the werewolf mask - didn’t want it, but man, mom - that’s so COOL!

and suddenly, i missed my babies - the tiny beth and dale who were always underfoot, saying and doing outrageous things that made me laugh or shake my head or throw my hands up in exasperation. that wave of nostalgia was so sudden, and the pang of missing those years was so…overwhelming, my breath caught in my throat.

it does go by fast. pretty soon, my nest will be empty, and i’m wondering what will i do on christmas mornings? on birthdays? on all those special occasions that had a tradition tied to it, what will i do?

i’ll think of something, i’m sure.

it goes by too fast.