hugging strangers in the AAA office
a sweet story and a whole lot of random.
Hi. It’s only been a week since my last post, but it feels like a month. So much has happening. I have a lot going on, as usual, but it’s all very good things, and I’m happy with my life right now.
So here’s a short story and then a whole lot of random.
Hugging Strangers
I went to AAA to renew my vehicle registration. AAA membership has its privileges, baby, and one of them is not having to stand in line at the California DMV for things having to do with your vehicle.
Anyway, I was sitting in the waiting room, and an older white woman came and sat next to me. She was pleasant, and she asked me how my day was going. I told her about all the errands I had been running and how this was my last stop.
She told me she was there to change her address on her vehicle registration because her children were making her move out of her house she had lived in for 45 years.
“They won’t even let me keep anything,” she said woefully. “I have my grandmother’s Bible — that’s their great-grandmother, and they want me to get rid of it.”
“I know that’s hard,” I said.
“I’m getting older, but I’m used to being on my own and taking care of myself. Now they don’t want me to do that. They don’t want me to control anything,” she continued.
I took my hand and gently rubbed her on her back. I looked at her, and I let her talk. I just listened.
She told me she was going to be moving from Los Angeles up to Big Bear because that’s where her daughter lives.
“We just bid on a house up there because my daughter’s house burned down.”
“Big Bear is nice,” I said. “You get all the seasons up there. And you’ll be with family.”
“They don’t want me,” she said sadly. “They just want my money.”
I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. I felt like I was going to start crying. Instead, I just hugged her.
Before we could say anything else, they called my name to come handle my registration.
I touched her on her arm.
“I hope you have a good day,” I said. “Take care of yourself.”
She smiled at me and wished me the same.
When I was done conducting my business, I saw she was still sitting, waiting to be called.
When she saw me, she smiled again.
“I hope you have a good day,” she said to me.
“I’m going to hug you again,” I said. “I hope that’s OK.”
“Yes,” she said. “It’s OK. I need it.”
I gave her a tight squeeze.
I’ve been thinking about that exchange ever since.
Wherever she is, whatever she’s doing, I hope she remembers that hug and knows it came from a genuine space.
We some Trader Joe’s Hoes
I took my mama to Trader Joe’s and let her ball out. I’ve cooked some of their frozen foods for her, and she’s fond of the Kung Pao chicken, teriyaki chicken, and Japanese fried rice. We took our time walking up and down each aisle, and hearing her ask, “Can I get this?” never got old.
It was like taking a child into a toy store and letting them run free. By the time we left, I had spent $130, and she got full meals (entree, carb, vegetable side) for six days.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Trader Joe’s makes it easy for you to have delicious and nutritious meals in 15 minutes or less, and you can eat three meals a day there for $20 or less if you know how to shop their store. I love them for this very reason.
I’ve also turned her on to all the good snacks there. She has her favorites, including those lemon animal crackers, the triple ginger snaps, and the cinnamon graham crackers..
Finally, I got her two each of the chicken burrito bowls, the green chile chicken bowls, the butter chicken entrees, and that delicious macaroni and cheese they have.
Easy. Peasy.
That Buffalo Ranch Popcorn they are selling now is a top-tier snack. I have been eating it by the handful. The Garlic Butter Irish Potato Chips are also a fave, and that caramelized onion dip? Whew, chile. I cannot get enough.
There’s also a Caesar salad dip that I love eating with baby carrots.
Snapped is my shit
I heard the narrator on an episode of Snapped say, “Her taste in men was questionable,” and that was the nicest way I’ve ever heard someone say “She had poor pussy management” in my life.
Currently obsessed with Sinners and Forever
I’m still obsessed with Sinners. I still took time out to watch Forever on Netflix. It was beautiful. Please watch it and share your thoughts. I’m going to see Sinners again this week on IMAX. That will make 4 times for me, and all 4 have been on IMAX.
wardrobe choices
I know a jumpsuit hate to see me coming! I just got three new ones, and baby, they are everything.
My sleep gummy is kicking in, so I’m going to bid you adieu.
Have you watched Forever? What did you think?
What is going to be your most worn wardrobe item(s) this summer?
What are your favorite items from Trader Joe’s?
What has been your most recent indulgent purchase?
What is your favorite true crime show?
The conversation with the woman in the AAA office made me cry. My mother lives with me as I am her primary caregiver, and I am seeing her age and lose her independence more and more every single day. She is on a fixed income, and if it wasn’t for my late father (whom she divorced in 1988) she would not have that. Two very different stories but one thing remains true, getting old is hard and watching your parents age is even harder.