I was rushing through the grocery store yesterday as I only had 15 minutes to grab my soup ingredients before having to be at the bus stop. When I got ˜stuck’ behind another shopper. Now, yes, I am a Mom myself, and should have had much more patience for a fellow Mom. I am ashamed to say my first reaction was to sigh and roll my eyes. See, she wasn’t moving because her 3-year-old wanted to pick each item off the shelf and place it in the cart. And she was letting him. Don’t worry. My annoyance lasted for all of 2 seconds. And then it was replaced with immense admiration. Admiration for my fellow Mom who could have easily been sighing and rolling her eyes herself. But instead, she was fully engaged in that moment, with her child, without focusing on her next task of the day and all the things she ˜should’ be doing at that moment instead. It was beautiful.
As I was about to turn around and go about my business, I noticed who else was blocking the aisle. An elderly man, with items in his cart indicative of his single life. He wasn’t paused trying to choose a pasta shape. He was paused just watching, and smiling, at the same Mom I was. He too was lost in the moment. Perhaps he was thinking of a moment from a lifetime ago, or perhaps he was thinking of grandkids. Either way, we were both mesmerized.
Usually, it is my own kids who I always envision when thinking of the kids I advocate for. But today, today it was this hero Mom and her kid. And I immediately thought of Michael. I pictured him, carefully dropping the can of peas into the cart. With his Mom gently encouraging him, and showing him which ones to pick. Such a simple, mundane, everyday task of grocery shopping will be imprinted on that little boy forever. And I can only hope Michael gets the opportunity for those same moments.
Michael is 3-years-old and is 
available for adoption through Madison Adoption Associates. He is diagnosed with Prune-Belly Syndrome. There is a $2,000 grant available for the family who adopts Michael. To be considered, please complete the Prospective Adoptive Parent form, or email Sarah@madisonadoption.org for more information.