This week I took Monkey in for his two-year checkup (four months late…). And because he cooperated so well, I took him to get a special treat at a local deli / bakery. That kid loves his baked goods. (Disclosure, they also have really good lattes for mummy. Any excuse for a good coffee). The place has great food but unfortunately has no inside seating, just a couple of small tables out front on the sidewalk. My intent was for us to get our treats, get back in the car, and head the few minutes home.
Monkey decided he wanted a croissant, I got a sandwich and a coffee and then proceeded to head for the car which was miraculously parked right out front. But as I headed for the car, the little man headed right for one of the small tables they had outside and pulled up a chair.
Now, I know I’ve talked about the English winter weather before and how lovely it is. On this day, it was in the 30s, grey, damp, and blustery. The usual. And my child has just pulled up a seat at a table where we can enjoy our bakery items and coffee in this glorious weather. This isn’t a café in the south of France! I’m thinking about how quickly we can get back inside. Instead, I pull up the chair next to him.
We’d only been sitting there a few minutes when a stranger passes by our little table and looks me in the eye and says “you must have a stern constitution to be sitting out here.”
Stern constitution? No. Sitting outside in this weather has nothing to do with my constitution and tolerance for cold weather. “I have a two-year old.” I explain to the stranger. And I am weak and unable to say no to him when it comes to things that really don’t matter. Was it really going to kill me to sit outside for 10 minutes and drink my coffee? Probably not. Even though my sinuses might say otherwise.
Oh to be a kid and not think twice, just live in the moment. And not care how many crumbs you get on your face.
