Had we not gone shopping last week with her being dropped off at the gardening section while I picked up groceries for both of us, Sis would never have become a freewheeling sexy, sassy senior.
“Vickie, come to the grocery area. Vickie to the grocery area.”
Knowing she was Vickie and that I was in the grocery area, she immediately decided I had collapsed on the spot and desperately needed her. Off she went at as fast a clip as possible considering she has bad knees and a bad back – which is why I often do her grocery shopping.
By the time she arrived and discovered that ‘Vickie’ worked in the store, she was close to sitting down on the floor from exhaustion. A terrific employee ran to get her one of the dreaded motorized carts. I was still happily unaware anything had happened and remained so until I finished shopping and returned to gardening to help her.
Until this time Sis, as do many seniors, considered the motorized cart a sign of being, well, senior. She equated them with old folk’s homes like those shown on Golden Girls. This glorious day set her free from her home and car and allowed her to see a whole new world.
Yesterday we went shopping again. I was delighted to hear her volunteer to use a cart as I imagined us chatting as we strolled happily through the aisles. ‘Twas not to be.
You see, my sister does not meet strangers. Therefore, she knows half the people in this area and will soon know anyone she happens upon within minutes. Zipping along in her cart brought her in contact with at least ten more sassy seniors on wheels that day – not to mention the walkers. She chatted and laughed and urged the wheeled friends to race. I fully expected to see a ‘train’ of motorized carts going conga style through the store.
In a small Walmart grocery section, it took us two and one half hours to greet every visitor and staffer and pick up a few groceries along the way. Having more to purchase, I often left her with the feeling when I returned that she never knew I was gone.
At the checkout counter, she chatted with the people in front of her, in back of her and brought the cashier into the conversation.
Once back in the car, she demonstrated an exuberance I haven’t seen her in a long, long time.
“We can go shopping anytime now!” She grinned, flushed with the joy of being free to do things she marked off her list some time ago. “Gee, it’s a shame we had to leave. I wanted to see the rest of the store.”
“Sorry, Sis, but I really can’t stay until closing tonight. That’s how long it would take you to get through the first half.”
I think that others who harbor the same thoughts about using those carts will discover, once they see my sassy, sexy Sis, that they are not a sign of growing older; they are a sign of jumping back into life with all four wheels, ready to enjoy every precious moment.
I think that day you gave a few other seniors the courage to try the carts, not as a disability transport, but as a new door opening in their lives.
LOL! Yes I loved it ! I only ran over one or two people, a clothing rack and knocked over the dog food shelving ! Yes, I know many people…it is a small town and I worked prominently as a police dispatch Captain for many years. AND YES …I am a proud self assured individual who has never depended on ANYONE for help. Until now. I have had to learn all the ways to get assistance…drive in windows, hired help, looking the other way when those I have known all my life are saying…”What happened to her ?” My ego is the only area I have yet to conquer. But, at last my body says…”You are fooling yourself….get real.” I will when the upper part of my body gives in…until then…I will keep trying as I hope all my little buddies do everyday.