People Try to Put Us Down

We were at the flower nursery preparing to gather a cartload or two of various species of plants for our backyard landscape project. The girls were ecstatic and full of vigor. Under such energized situations, as most parents are aware, children will often perform unimaginable dangerous stunts or extremely outrageous acts of rudeness. My wife and I were privy to the laws of childhood enthusiasm and were automatically prepared.

Within minutes of reaching the front-gated area, Emma, our oldest began the fervor. “I want to push the cart!” She suddenly appeared with an empty cart for us.

We continued to peruse the various daisies, delphiniums, and other blooming beauties, until a crotchety voice appeared like a clap of thunder. “You took my cart!” the 80 year old, hunchbacked, shuffling woman accused my daughter. The grey-hair promptly grabbed the open side of the cart as if to start a tug-a-war with my six-year old.

My wife was quick, “Oh, I’m sorry, did we take your cart?” she apologetically asked. Emma was horrified by the wrinkled accuser and kept silent.

The elder paused, looking back and forth from Emma to Abbie with a stern, angered face. After a moment exchanged glances of confusion, she then blurted, “Mine is full! This is empty!” Instantaneously, her cane-toting compadre informed her that their cart was next to the register. The granny then turned around and hobbled back to her brimming cart of botany, not saying a single “Sorry” or even an “Oops!”

I shook my head, grumbled a derogatory remark, and continued my shopping. “Where is that girl’s guardian?” I queried myself.