love will find a way 142/366

I have shopped at Walmart for years, but not for the last two months because I have friends who've insisted on shopping for me. And I wasn't planning on going anytime soon, especially after the results my 20 minute Dollar Tree experiment trip last week. But, "THE" picture prompted me to place an online order for it to be developed in store last evening. This morning found me, masked and armed with determination. I WOULD get the picture... and yard trash bags, fresh and frozen fruit and a few dairy items...

This shopping trip was a very different experience from anything I have ever done. Caution tape at both of the entrances, only one of them open and employees policing that area. I must have been doing things right because they didn't stop me. There are decals on the floor reminding us to keep 6 feet apart that I noticed about halfway through the store. There are also red and green "one way" arrows with words at the ends of the aisles to inform us of which way we should be going. I didn't know they were there until I looked down as I was leaving an aisle the wrong way. I looked around me quickly, thankful that either the employees didn't see me or they didn't mind. Even if no one else noticed I felt dumb. I would have been mortified if I'd been called out for breaking the rules by ignoring the things I didn't see.
I am including these details as a tutorial for those who have not ventured out yet. Be more aware than I was.



I pulled into Super Quick right across the street from  Walmart. I never stop there, I normally fuel up in Grayson but gas was 12 cents cheaper and I had less than a quarter of a tank. As I was getting out of my car I had a flashback to stopping after a blood draw I'd gone to with a friend and her son years ago. He was a coffee drinker and so very badly wanted me to be one too. At the time I wasn't, but I would do anything for Nick. So I got a cup of coffee and fixed it the way he told me to. I can't remember how many flavored creamers I used, but I do remember thinking I had more creamer than coffee. I still couldn't drink it, but the face I made trying to power through made him laugh so it was worth my embarrassment. 

This evening I am thinking about the power of love.
How it enables us to do things we don't think we have the strength to do.
How it motivates us to do what we don't necessarily want or feel like doing.
Love always finds a way to at least try.
Love never fails. Love never dies.

This is me with Nick. Probably before or after one of those blood draws he had to have on a regualr basis. I miss him, his beautiful smile, his positive attitude and quiet strength. Tomorrow is his birthday. If he was still with us we would be celebrating #25. His life was a gift.
 Love you Nick, forever and a day.

Today's trip gave me 2 gifts-
the photo of Bill and I and memories of time with Nick.