Hard Firsts

Today was the annual back to school shopping trip.  Most of you know my sisters were and are teachers.  We always get together to go shopping for back to school clothes, shoes and miscellaneous.  It's like the annual Christmas shopping trip.  I usually go to laugh and eat lunch.

Anola's sudden passing will move us through many 1st.  This was the beginning of those; the first shopping trip without her.  Soon it will be the first day of school.  Then it will be Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Anola was a seasonal decorator and Halloween was one of her favorites.  She had salt and pepper shakers, cookie jars, candy dishes, lights, stuff to hang in the windows, things to put outside.  Yeah, all out. She did most things that way.

I must admit, I was a little leery.  I asked a friend to pray for us today and he did.  I know, because I could feel them.  We had a choice.  We could be all weepy and sad-sack or we could laugh and enjoy ourselves like we usually do.  I know which one Anola would choose for us.  We decided to laugh.  

Normally, we don’t come home with that many items.  The last few years, it’s been mostly baby stuff.  Since the kiddos are all healthy and clothed, we didn’t even wander that way.  Plus, Amanda didn’t get to go with this year and she is the baby shopper extraordinaire.  She is also Brenda's and Ada's personal shopper.  She picks stuff out and they decide to buy it our not.   

This necessitated Brenda and Ada actually shopping for themselves.  Wonder of wonders, they both bought items in the first three stores we went to.  That made it a full day already.  What made it even more ‘not normal’ was that I bought things, too.

Did we get teary-eyed?  Yes, but only a little.  We are women; we are tough.  We love, we laugh, we cry.  Anyone remember ‘Steel Magnolias’? 

All in all, it’s been a good day.