Tonight Natania, Claire and I went out on a little outing. We didn’t get out yesterday or today and so I decided to go get ice-cream. Macedonians have this idea that eating something cold like ice-cream in the winter is bad for your health, so most restaurants and stores don’t stock it or serve it during these “chilly” months. There is however an ice cream parlor at the big mall in the center of town and so, feeling a little adventurous and stir crazy, I decided not to take a taxi but to find it myself with my co-worker/neighbor’s car. I’ve of course been there before but never behind the wheel myself!
After a few wrong turns that adjusted our 15-20 minute jaunt into a 25-30 minute trip, we pulled into a tight spot (parallel parked!) on the curb. If I had parked in this same spot in the states, I would have received dirty looks and probably a ticket for my audacity to leave my vehicle where I did, but thank goodness, those rules don’t apply here! Otherwise I would have spent another 10 minutes driving around the squished “parking lot” looking for a legitimate spot!
I slid Claire into the sling and gave Natania strict warnings about needing to hold my hand and obey Mommy while we were out. We stepped in the mall and I realized at once what a novelty I was. To paint the picture for you: Young single woman, two “babies,” a sling… most women here don’t have children until their 30’s and if they have more than one child they definitely don’t have them close together, 6 years is the desirable distance between siblings. As for the sling, let’s just say I think mine is the sole representative of its kind here in this country! It’s been a while since I’ve attracted so much attention. It took me back to my days in Asia where there was no hiding the fact that I wasn’t a national, and everyone stares openly at foreigners. Here, with my light skin, dark hair and brown eyes, I can blend in quite well as a Macedonian (as long as I keep my mouth shut!).
At “Palma’s” we sat in the “non-smoking” section, which I don’t think really exists, everyone here smokes and so if there is a non-smoking section, it’s just one or two tables in the middle or off to the side of all the smoking tables! I ordered two scoops of ice-cream for us to share and a cappuccino as a treat for me. Natania wanted to try mommy’s coffee but I didn’t want to risk her not being able to sleep due to the caffeine boost. (I’m sure the sugar in the ice-cream was already taking care of that!) Natania enjoyed her ice-cream and … so did Claire (yes, it’s true I guess I have relaxed my standards a little). After ice-cream we rode the escalator up and down four times because Natania was having so much fun. Then Natania helped me pick out a pair of earrings at a little silver jewelry stall. Lastly we got one of those big shopping carts that has a little car for your toddler to sit in the front and “drive” (another fun treat for Natania) and I picked up a few items at Ram Store; the largest grocery store here and more importantly; the only one with little cars!
We had a lot of fun tonight and mostly I think it was because I took great joy in my daughter’s joy. It’s hard to put into words, but Natania was so happy to be out with her mommy. On the way home, I told her that we had gone on a “date” and tried to explain the concept to her in toddler vocabulary. She told me that she wanted “do date again mommy?” And she also got very excited when I told her that she could go on a date with Daddy too.
I’ve been spending a lot of time recently with my two daughters and it can be a temptation to lose sight of the bigger picture. These are two precious little girls that God has entrusted to me for a time. Tonight I was blessed with a beautiful little occasion that has helped me to reflect on God’s goodness to me. I thank the Lord for the delight that I am experiencing being Natania and Claire’s mother. It truly is a privilege to raise these little girls.
