Shop Local

For several years there has been a Chamber of Commerce sponsored "Shop Lancaster" effort. And I am all for that. As a realtor, I clearly understand the importance of supporting local businesses. But this morning, I found myself wishing I had shopped far, far away from my beloved home town corner drug store.

I realized I needed stamps. Then I realized I was much closer to the drug store than to the post office. And while at the drug store, I could also pick up body wash, another item on my to do list for today and something I definitely could not get at the post office. As I made my way quickly through the drug store, I also remembered that I needed some feminine hygiene products. Without thinking much about the choices and more importantly without my trusty reading glasses, I grabbed the first I saw.... which sadly turned out to be of the "Sweet Romance" variety. Finally, as I rounded the last aisle toward check-out, I noted that my favorite wine was on sale, and at a great price no less. I just couldn't pass it up. Note to readers: It is probably not the best idea for the pharmacy to sell wine. I'm just saying.....

So, let's get the whole picture......it's 10:00 am. I am in the local drug store where like Cheers, "everybody knows your name." I think half the staff has told me they graduated from high school with Adrian. And remember my basket...my basket for check-out that now consists of several (but who's counting) bottles of wine, my "sweet romance" feminine product, body wash....and, oh yes, the stamps which were the reason for my trip to begin with.

Now, it's a sunny almost spring Friday morning in LA, and I suppose I am looking fairly cute in my salmon colored cropped skinny jeans. As I stood at check out, I suddenly regretted that I also was wearing my hot animal print slingback pimps....um that's pumps.... you know, the ones with the three inch heels. As the suddenly quite disapproving clerk peered over her glasses I thought let's just get this check out done and get out of here. But she intentionally it seemed oh so slowly took each item ceremoniously out of my basket.......first the body wash....then the Sweet Romance......then the several bottles of wine. Just as I thought it couldn't possibly get worse, and with my little cluster of shame sitting not so ceremoniously now on the very public counter, it happened. She was yelling "Could I Get a Price Check on the Big Bottles of Moscato Wine? Denise's got several here." I am sure she is thinking girl, you are way too old to be planning a party like the one these purchases indicate.

I arrived home, opened my bags, still shaking my head, when I suddenly realized, I had left my stamps. Had my sale actually managed to close last week, I might have chosen to just leave the stamps. As it were, back I went, back to the scene of my earlier shame, back to my favorite corner drug store.

Oh well, at least I shopped Lancaster.

Alopecia,Introspection, and The Oxymoron That is a Teen

This morning I am....pensive. Introspective. Not sure why. I just am. As I showered and shampooed, I thought of Kate. Admittedly, this is not unusual. Almost every day, as I shampoo my hair, I think of Kate and her alopecia. I say the alopecia prayer. Hair. I would gladly give all of mine, if only she might no longer deal with her lack of it. I see her looks as she watches me blow dry my hair. She doesn't say anything....she doesn't have to. I'm her mother. I know.

I asked Adrian yesterday if he had noticed how suddenly beautiful this daughter of his and mine is....our strong-willed child with her gorgeous, nearly perfect face.....and her nearly bald head. As I have said so often, we are blessed and grateful this is not a life threatening diagnosis. But how hard it must be for a soon to be fifteen year old girl to cope with this particular malady. Maybe that's it....maybe that's why today brings such odd feelings. Kate's fifteenth birthday is fast approaching. With it come all the usual fears....fears of her driving, fears of her dating, fears of the disappointing choices she could make. Have we done enough?

But in Kate's case, there are additional questions. Who is going to one day hurt her feelings about her hair loss? What boy will break her heart because he can't understand or deal with her alopecia?

She wants to be a doctor but sees no reason why doctors should understand algebra, or any math. She wants to save puppies from the cruelty of the death rows of animal shelters, but she seems to feel her responsibility ends when the puppies are home. She wants to volunteer at the hospital, but she sees no reason an essay is required with the application. She wants to work at Carowinds. She wants to go to Prom. She wants to be in Cotillion. She wants....hair. Like all the other girls her age, she wants hair. She's an oxymoron of understanding and lack of, of hurt and strength, of a child and a blossoming young adult.

I can hire an algebra tutor. I can help with her hospital essay. I can support her soft spot for animals in dire straits. I can help her choose the perfect prom dress and try to help her into Cotillion. But hair.....I am helpless.

She's KK to some, Aunt Kate to others. She is daughter, sister, student, Christian. And she is an alopecia patient. As her teenage years come into full swing, just who will this girl become? And how will her hair loss affect her?

Yes, today, I am introspective. And my very strong daughter is out there.....doing what she does.....being who she is ....probably worrying far less than her mom. Tomorrow will be better.