Just before church started on Sunday, a woman and her daughter sat down in front of us. I noticed right away that the woman had a sparkly foam sticker on the back of her sweater. Even though I didn’t know her, my first instinct was to tap her on the shoulder to let her know it was there.
But I couldn’t. The sticker made me smile. I liked it there. We had stickers like that at home. ONE used them for Thank You Cards and art projects. I’ve peeled them off walls, chairs, and the inside of the washing machine.
It made me think of the other stuff. The bangle bracelets that hibernated in my parka last summer. The glittery lipgoss that leaked through the back pocket of my jeans. Elmo’s iPod that played from my purse when I bumped into someone at the grocery store. A handful of elastic ponytail holders in the side door of the car. Little socks wedged in my shoes. Weed bouquets.
Throughout the service I caught other people glancing at the woman’s sweater and smiling. All moms. Some with grown kids sitting next to them, others struggling with younger ones. A few new moms swaying tiny babies back and forth. I didn’t know any of them, but it didn’t matter. We were all thinking the same kinds of things…and hoping she didn’t take the sticker off.
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{ 26 comments }
I often see things like that and smile too.
Nice reminder that the small things really are big.
Oh, I love this! We have so many things like that around here. I know that one day when my purse is missing such absurd things, I’ll be truly sad.
Loved this one, CK. I’ve always been a sticker lover! They are like gold to kids and when they give them to you they should be treated as such. Or that’s what I like to believe!
ARGH! How do you do this???!!!! How do you take the littlest, simplest thing and speak of it in a way that reduces me to tears and dribbles??
I can’t tell you how much I love this. The Sisterhood of Motherhood…
Such a sweet observation…I love how you can talk about such things through blogging.
Thanks for your comment recently – it was a really nice one. Helped lift my mood a bit. I may share some stuff one day…though some stories I’m a little ashamed of – like the trampling of my ex’s heart…still feel like I’m being punished for it – even now with my current break-up so many years later! It is the same issue turned around sort of. Back then I wasn’t ready for full commitment and thought there were better fish out there…and now when I am ready, I discover the so-called love of my life now is wearing my old shoes! Alas! xxx
You always make me look forward to the little things. And the big ones.
I loved this post. Sometimes those things kids do that embarrass us, are actually done with such sweet little intentions and love.
Somedays I walk around for hours with little stickers my littlest puts on my hand or arm. They ARE the best treasures.
Thanks for the smile today!
Did I mention how GLAD I am that your back!
Happy Friday!
that you’re back! LOL
Sorry the teacher is coming out in me :)
Aww, so sweet. I know the sticker on your shirt trick well. It’s a rare day when I don’t have a sticker or stamp or marker somewhere on my person. Thanks for the different take on it. :)
Stickers make me smile too. I’m more likely to find gum these days, though. My MIL gives them gum when they are at her house. Gum drives me nuts. I’ll take stickers instead.
Love it.
There is humor I can’t explain along with undeniable awareness of vulnerability. For instance, when a cheerio is stuck in the dog’s tail and he has no idea. Even my babies see this as amusing and somehow it feels as if we are picking on the dog as we laugh. Or when there is s piece of tuna fish stuck cleverly on baby’s upper lip making a Hitler mustache. Hitler, not funny but the tuna mustache is hysterical. We leave it there until it falls off in its own time.
The small things just tickle me pink.
Sweet post, ck. Sweet like candy, not like I’m trying to be hip and cool. Can we pretend the mustard, markers, and fabric stains on my pants are also sweet and touching and remind people of their kids?
I like the ballpoint tattoos the best. Some parents refused to be colored on, but I’ve never gotten a weird look for the ink mine doodles all over my arms. Everyone who sees knows. And smiles.
Any present from one’s children short of “kick me” should be left in place.
What a sweet post! …and I can fully attest to going out in public with a Curious George sticker on my rear, put there by my little Monkey! When I found it once I got home, I felt a bit embarrassed, but it did put a smile on my face! :)
That was as touching and meaningful and true as a lot of sermons…or maybe moreso.
This made me smile and remember the way I stared at my son today, wanting so much to burn his sweet little eight year old face into my mind. It’s so difficult to shut my eyes and picture my kids when they were younger or hear their voices in my head. Thank you once again for a thoughtful and sweet post!
Very sweet. I can’t wait for stickers on my sweater too.
Someday soon that will be me.
The threads (or stickers) that hold us together. Smiles and hugs to you, fellow mom.
It is always those little routine reminders that always gets us. Thanks for this CK.
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