Shopping!

Normally I hate to shop. Tie me to a railroad track while the train is coming. Force me to eat rutabagas. Send me to outer Mongolia. Anything but to the mall to buy stuff. I detest the whole process from driving there to parking (and remembering *where* you parked), to sorting through a million items for just the right thing, especially when you don't know exactly what the right thing is!



And don't get me started about the other shoppers nearby. They are rude, inconsiderate, noisy, obnoxious, and every other epithet I can conjure up. I avoid as often as possible any and every opportunity to shop. I sure struck out in that gene department - yet another reason I don't fit the typical girlie mold.



Except.



Except when I am shopping for someone else, and I know this person well and I can guess exactly what will bring a smile to their face, joy to their days. Then I am all over it. I can't wait to find just that perfect thing that I know they will love, that will bring sunshine to their darkest hour. Especially when they are having a bad year and need something to brighten their season.



My biggest frustration for that kind of shopping is the small size of my wallet. I can think of a thousand things that would help, but I have to set a limit somewhere. Then it comes down to the agonizing decisions of what to leave behind.



Somehow when I am shopping for friends and kids, I don't mind. I set out knowing it will not be easy, but I am ready to face whatever the journey tosses my way. Rude people? I smile and step out of the way. Full parking lots? I relish getting some exercise walking from a mile away. Crowded aisles? I patiently wait for the line to ease up. They just sold the last one? I start the process all over at the next mall. Takes you twenty five minutes just to get out of the parking lot? I listen to Christmas carols playing on the radio and thank God I don't have babies in tow and that I had the presence of mind to fill the gas tank.



Can't help it. Found myself singing out loud right in line at the store. People stared at me like I had lost my mind. Maybe so, but I had rather be happy about the pressure than grumpy. I smile like a maniac. They growl, have loud exasperated phone conversations, push ahead of you, and then stare at you as if you did something wrong. I don't care. I am on a mission. Its a good mission. And when I am tired, I will quit for the day and go back at it later when I am refreshed. No sense driving yourself crazy needlessly. Lots of valid reasons to crack up. At least let it be something more weighty than a shopping trip.