A Smile and a Wave

Last night, after a workout at the gym and my normal 45 minute commute, I stopped at two different grocery stores to pick up my bi-weekly fare. Grocery shopping is one of my favorite pastimes, but by 7PM I was exhausted, very hungry, and ready to just get home. I loaded my bags into the trunk and drove toward my apartment as quickly as I could, planning out a quick dinner in my head.

At the red light before I turned onto my street, I looked to my left as I crept forward to make a right turn on red. A little girl, probably about 4 years old, held her father’s hand as they stepped off the curb and into the crosswalk. She wore a lavender fleece jacket and matching hat, with a tiny fleece pouf at the crown. She was looking straight into my eyes, and I smiled at her.

For her entire trip across the four lanes, she never stopped staring at me. And as she stepped into the spotlight of my headlights, she put on a shy smile, lifted her tiny hand next to her cheek, and curled her fingers into a hesitant wave. It was utterly adorable. And the best part was, when I waved back, she practically burst with excitement. Her smile widened and she waved more enthusiastically. The innocence and joy she radiated made me long to have the heart of a child again.

The spell that had been cast between us was broken when she tripped up the curb and her father gently lifted her over the edge and onto the sidewalk. Still, those few seconds made up the most intimate moment I’ve had with a stranger in a long time. And the beautiful part? Not a single word was necessary to make that connection.

Hallmark is on My List

Last night, I settled into bed to watch Candles on Bay Street. I was prepared for a bit of sappiness. It was a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, after all. And they get me every time. By the beginning of Act 2, I was fighting back fits of sobs. I went through almost an entire box of tissues, and not one of those little back-of-the-toilet boxes, either.

But last night, it wasn't just the movie that got to me. During the commercial breaks, when I should have had a bit of a reprieve to pull myself together, the Hallmark bastards sideswiped me with more sugar-coated mushiness. Every commercial break had at least one sappy, tug-at-the-heart-strings advertisement prodding me to "send the very best."

I think it was all the father-daughter themes that had me in hysterics. And there's also the fact that, for some reason I haven't quite put my finger on but that I think is in some way related to my thunderously ticking biological clock, I've been super-sensitive the last few weeks. No matter the cause, Hallmark is officially on my shit list. They sucked me in, yet again, and got me all puffy-eyed and red-faced. I'm not sure what the marketing ploy behind all of this is, but I'll be darned if I'm going to fall for it. You can't make me cry and then expect me to buy! I'm all about American Greetings this holiday. Forget the very best; I'm buying the cheapest, funniest, non-emotional cards I can find from now on.

Hallmark, you won't make me cry anymore. We're through!

(*Note: Please do not hold me to this in the future...it's very likely I'll find an adorable Thank You, or the perfect Happy Birthday among the Hallmark selections and won't be able to resist. But right now, my inability to control my emotions finds me in need of placing the blame for my crying jags squarely in someone else's lap. Today, Hallmark get's the Gold Crown. Tomorrow, who knows?)

It's Official

I got the call from my realtor Wednesday night while I was shopping for last minute Thanksgiving groceries. In the middle of the dairy aisle at Giant, I sputtered and practically shouted "Thank you" and "Really?" over and over again. Fellow shoppers and shelf stockers stared while I broke into a smile and excited giggles.

The sellers of the little house I love have accepted my offer!

Now, barring any difficulty finding their own home and any major issues with the inspection and appraisal, I should be settling in mid-January. I'm already preparing by sorting through belongings, investigating do-it-yourself painting and decorating projects, and socking away extra cash for closing costs, furniture, and other unexpected expenses. I'm trying to hold back at least a bit of the excitement because I know there's still a possibility that things could still fall through. But I admit (as if you can't tell) that I'm a little attached to this house.

So here's to new experiences and life stages. I'm going to be a home owner!