Returns

My brother and his finacée invited me to accompany them tonight as they returned and exchanged some of the loot they'd received at the shower yesterday. Little did I know what an adventure this would turn out to be.

First stop: Babies R Us

There were a few articles that they had received in duplicate, so they chose to return one and use the money to pick up some other needed accessories, like a change table pad, and of course a few of the sheets to cover it. First problem ... no sheets could be found (at least right away) to cover the pad they had chosen. Luckily another kind lady passed by (a total stranger to us) who overhead the conversation and then volunteered to help saying, 'When my child was born, I bought that pad too and I found that the oversized sheets were the best'. The search then ensued for the illusive sheets, which we eventually found, thanks to the generosity of a stranger who'd been there and was only too willing to help.

Of course since 'uncle' was with them, the shopping continued until the bumper pads and other linens for their new cradle had been decided upon and purchased. Then it was off to the next stop on the adventure. By the time the evening jaunt was over, we had stopped in at Sears, the Bay and Zellers, all the while returning some of the merchandise and sizing up other possibilities.

This was a rare and precious occasion for me to spend time with the expectant parents, a time to see the world through their eyes, and to join in the exitement of preparing for the new little one who will soon be among us. I don't get that opportunity too often, so it's all the more to be savored and cherished.

'Babies can be so expensive,' one of them quipped. True, but love that is freely given never has a price. In fact it's simply priceless.