Unexpected Blessings

Every Wednesday, Camille goes to gymnastics. She's actually a little young for this class (they're supposed to be 2 and she won't be 2 until November), but she holds her own. Actually, she does more than hold her own. She dang runs the joint. I've mentioned before that she's fearless, but it's especially true in gymnastics where jumping and running and flipping are not only required, but are offered in an environment that is covered in padding. She loves it.

After gymnastics, we always head to the grocery store. First of all, I only have 1 kid on Wednesdays. The other 2 are in school. Second of all, that kid has just run and jumped and flipped for 45 minutes and she's ready to sit and be still for a minute. As long as juice and a cookie (thank you Publix for free cookies for kids) accompany it. Can I get an Amen?

Every Wednesday, an assisted living facility nearby takes some if its residents to Publix. They come in a minibus, and in a matter of minutes the place is crawling with the sweetest elderly people you have ever seen. They buy their groceries, have them packed in a paper bag, the director writes their room number on the bag and places the bag in the back of the bus, and they get back on the bus and wait for everyone to finish. Now, you must know, that I have a HUGE soft spot when it comes to elderly people. I love them. There's nothing sweeter or wiser. And they all LOVE babies. And babies in leotards will melt anyone's heart.

Several of them have connected with Camille. She doesn't like strangers, but loves these people. She waves and says Hi and smiles and they eat her up. One precious man sits on the bench at the front of the store. He's a people watcher and doesn't want to sit on the bus. He always stands up when we walk by him because he wants to touch Camille's hand. And she lets him. They will say "There's that sweet baby that we saw last week!" I think she makes their day happier. I know they make her day happier. Mine too.

As we leave, we are sure to walk by the minibus and wave at the people in the windows. Then they head home and we do the same. And we can't wait to go back to Publix next Wednesday.

Who would've thought we could be so blessed in a grocery store? Just shows that God uses unusual places to touch your heart. Look for Him in the unusual places.