text: Day 207 – Weekend Shopping | Melindaloves
  Day 207 – Weekend Shopping
  Melinda / November 5, 2011
  6 HUGS, 3 children, 3 adults (1 husband, 1 neighborhood friend, 1 Macy's employee)
  Remember that crowd phobia? Well, apparently I forgot today was a weekend. I decided it would be a good idea to go with my neighbor to the mall and a children's museum. I must have been subconsciously thinking that today was a good day to address my phobia. All in all, it wasn't so bad.
  First stop was the mall. Specifically shoe shopping at the mall. Well, if that is not going to put me in a good mood, I don't know what is. The poor employees though. They were running around trying to help the overwhelming amount of customers they had. I certainly did not help them in this area. As I approached one of them with 4 (4!) shoes to try on, she didn't hesitate in grabbing them from me and swiftly heading in to the back to look for them. A few minutes later she comes back with her arms full of shoes. I exclaim, "those weren't all mine, were they?" She pleasantly replied, "No, no. Well, most of them, but not all." She gave me a quick chuckle and I knew she was just being playful. When I went to purchase my shoes I was fortunate enough to have her help me again. We bantered a little and after my purchase was complete I looked behind me at the line forming. All I could think was that if anyone could use a hug, it was this employee. I appreciated her positive demeanor while working with me on a stressful, busy Saturday. She happily obliged. I looked again at the line forming, hoping to find a smiling face of someone else whose day I may have touched. All I saw was blank stares and snarling faces. Hmm…looks like a few more people could have used a hug today.
  Second stop was Marbles museum. There were probably tons of hug opportunities there, but I was a little paranoid trying to keep my children within view. Perhaps I am a little overprotective at times, I mean it IS a kids museum. But, I feel like I can never be too careful. They are going to hate me for this later in life, but I will just hug them tight and let them know I would lay down my life for them. I just don't want to have to.
  November 5, 2011 in 2011-2012 Year Of Hugs, HUGS. Tags: crowd phobia, hug, Hugs, marbles museum, weekend shopping