The Agenda~Three Word Wednesday

When my dad was alive, one of our 'big' events was shopping at Wal-Mart.

It was one of our routines... he would ask his usual, "What's on the agenda today?", and I'd say, "Wal-Mart!". He'd shout, "It's New Money Day!!", announcing the fact we'd received our checks from The Man, where we'd both worked at one time or another. We'd sit down, and thrash out menus, finish our coffee, I'd tidy the kitchen, we'd shower, dress and meet in the garage. It was a good time, picking up stuff we needed and didn't need, then going home and putting it away.

When he went to the assisted living facility, we still went to Wal-Mart, for him to pick up his snacks he ate while sitting in his recliner (I won't tell you how many bits and pieces we found of his snacks when we moved the chair after his death), he'd buy new flannel bottoms, an audio book or two, maybe a shirt. Afterwards, we'd go to lunch and then I'd put everything away. He was harder to deal with then, often vindictive, grumpy, depressed. Still, he'd call and say, "It's New Money Day!", and off we'd go.

It was a nice agenda.

Now, I go with The Investment. He's the driver now, and I sit and talk. He looks a great deal like my Dad... tall, dark curly hair, snapping black eyes, effortless in his lanky way of walking. He, too, has a payday on the 1st of each month. We drive to Wal-Mart, and he does his shopping, discussing items he's buying.... what will go the longest in his fridge, what's the best kind of cheese, why that pork loin such a good deal. I'll pick up food, too, at times... a book.. some really nice cotton long sleeved tshirts. We wander and talk and laugh. No one makes me laugh like my kids do, and he's at the top of the pack.

I thought to myself things were kinda going in full circle, giving me a new routine. I knew this was so when he called me last week, and caused me to do one of those things when you smile with teary eyes.

"Mom, what's on the agenda? It's New Money Day!"




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Three Word Wednesday's words were thrash, vindictive, and effortless. I found it easy to put them into this little blog post...