I'm a Big Kid Now

On Saturday, I took Jessie and two of her friends to the mall.  As we entered the mall, we began to plan for the trip.  First we exchanged cell phone numbers. Then we synchronized our watches and made sure that all three were clear on the meeting place and time.  I saw Jess' eyes light up as she figured out what was going on.  She couldn't believe that I was going to turn them loose at the mall.  She grinned and sang the Huggies pull-up song, I'm a Big Kid Now.  The girls stopped to strategize on how they were going to spend the next two hours.  With a stiff upper lip, I turned and walked away.  I didn't turn around.  I just kept walking.  It was a little bit scary, sad and thrilling all rolled up into one. 

I wondered around the mall trying to kill time.  I ended up at JCPenney, so that I could take advantage of their big and tall department.  I was standing in a rather long line.  There was a little girl in front of me.  She had blond curly hair, glasses, and looked to be about four years old.  It was clear that her parents had drug her around shopping all day.  She was restless and somewhat loud.  However, I thought she was just precious.  Mom and Dad were running low on patience and didn't think her behavior was all that precious. I found her to be quite entertaining (I remember when Jonathan was the one "entertaining" everyone).

This sweet little girl kept getting reprimanded over and over.  At one point, Dad pulls out his cell phone and tells the little girl that he was going to call Santa and let him know that she wasn't obeying.  They finally get checked out and turn to leave.  Dad looks at those of us in line and says, "this is the reason that she is an only child."  As I watched this family, I felt a lump forming in my throat.  Don't worry... I didn't cry or even tear up.  I was sad for these parents.  One day this precious little girl is going to be a teenager, and she will be fighting for a little bit of independence.  They lost valuable time with her, because they were tired and impatient. 

I wonder how many moments I lost with my precious little girl, because I was tired and impatient?