The other day, I was sitting in the car with the boys, while Noel ran in to Trader Joe's to get some fruit. (I'm obsessed with their fruit.) Across from us in the parking lot was a family that was completely wiped out. It seemed to be that they were a young mom and dad, who were out running errands, got back to the car with their baby who had just fallen asleep, and realized that this was their one shot for some shut eye....so a family nap in the car it was! (That could be totally wrong, but that's what it looked like to me.)
As I was watching them, because I'm a professional people watcher slash creeper, and because they were sleeping the good kind of sleep...like mouth open kinda sleep....I thought, yes....that is exactly how you feel when you're a first time parent to a newborn. It's the type of exhaustion that is surpassed by literally no other type of "i'm tired". It's something that you never forget. (And I'm so glad they were getting some sleep!)
It made me think about how most feelings are universal...and that's why we have to stick together. No, we've not all been exhausted by a newborn, but taking it a step past that, most of us have experienced the same type of feelings. We've all been sad, felt some anxiety, been stressed, and upset.....so we need to give each other a break and start helping each other through the hard times. On the flip side, we've all been excited about something, so we should rejoice in each other's success and good news.
Just a few thoughts from the Trader Joe's parking lot.... :)
14 comments :
poor things! At least they got some sleep, and you are so right. We do need to all stick together, and work together to keep up each other's motivation and will to keep up the good work! The world would be such a better place!
Yes! I can totally see your story being their story. It definitely is a different type of exhaustion, but how quickly we adjust! Love this whole concept of empathy.
I love this...and it leads me to think that I need to shop/ride around in the car with you just so I can hear you interpret other people's lives. You sound like a pro!
A lovely story! And funny, I'm doing my research on the emotions and whether they're universal or culturally variant. Really interesting!!
you just have to catch some sleep when you can!!! Agreed, most feelings are universal!
I love people watching too! I find it just fascinating!
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Target Giveaway!
That is so funny! I can remember telling Marc on colicky nights when he was on Cooper duty that I was going to go sleep in the car because even if I was not taking care of him, I could not sleep when he was crying. I have to say that I do not miss those days…nights!
This is so great. Where I don't know the newborn tired feeling I have worked two jobs while going to school and after a 12 hour shift on Saturday when I had been going all week I just want to crash and don't care where.
xo, Lee
Love this;) I think that when I became a mama it made me so much more tolerant of other people and their quirks. We are all struggling in some way or another and we don't need judgement…more like a cup of coffee and a good listening ear;)
I LOVE the point behind this post. You are such a smart lady. I am so happy those sweet parents were able to get some shut eye, along with their new little babe!! :) it's so important to stick together! Glad to have a friend like you! ;)
Love these thoughts! I remember learning this when my family first moved to China. We didn't understand the language, but the emotions were still there. We laugh the same and cry the same despite language and cultural differences. Love your thoughts here! :)
Ohmygoodness, so true! It's always a wonderful reminder that we are all in this crazy adventure together!
Chelsea
Haute Child in the City
What a precious, real moment for you to witness. Those definitely are my favorite. The moments where you stop and remember those hards time that lead to so many wonderful times. Or the moments when you see that everyone is human and needs that support and encouragement that it will get better and the hard times will pass. Life is an amazing, adventurous ride.
Ah hah, I'm glad you're around to provide this perspective because I would have been pounding on their windows to see if they were okay. I hope they got a good nap in but GOSH it must be crazy to just zonk out like that. Sleep deprivation does crazy things. And you're totally right, we've all been "there" (wherever there is) at different points in time
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