Last night, we were gearing up for our third Nor’easter which did evolve into a slushy mixture of snow and rain. Because it makes for treacherous driving, a lot of people go out the night before to buy milk, bread, eggs – you know, the essentials.
So when I stopped by the local grocery store last night to get a few provisions, it was really busy in there with many last minute shoppers like myself. Usually I’m pretty methodical in my shopping. I go up and down each aisle, but last night, I wanted to get in and get out in record time, but I wasn’t organized, so I was back and forth and all around the store.
At the last minute, I decided to get some chocolate before I left. I started walking down the aisle and passed a high school girl who had a bemused look on her face. Her parents were with her and as I passed by them, I smiled and stopped about a foot away to get my dessert for the night. I could feel them staring at me and I wondered why. So I turned and pretended to look at something on the other side of the aisle where they are all standing. Suddenly, the woman reached out to me.
Excuse me, she said. I have to tell you something. I inwardly groaned.
Yes?
I have a funny story to tell you.
Ok? I said as I cocked my head to the side wondering what she’s got to tell me. She begins to giggle and now her daughter is grinning. Her husband is staring down at his feet looking uncomfortable.
My husband’s been following you all over the store.
Oh really? Why? Now I’m wondering how I could have been so clueless that her husband had been following me and why she wants to tell me.
Look at us! she exclaimed pointing to our respective outfits. We couldn’t have been more like twins if we had tried!
I looked at her and we are both wearing black pants and light coats. I begin to laugh because she’s right, but I’m still not getting the connection.
My husband has been following you all over the store, thinking you were me. And he kept insisting I was zigzagging all over the store. My daughter and I thought he was crazy!
See! I told you that there must have been someone else who looked like you! Her husband stated, looking at me.
To me he explained, You’re a really a fast walker and you’re everywhere! My wife and I separated to get the shopping done faster and when I looked up, I’d see who I thought was her at the other end of the aisle, so I would speed up to catch up with her. But then when I got to the end of the aisle, she’d be gone and then I’d look around and she was down a different aisle. But in fact, it was you. Because you both are dressed alike. I thought I was losing my mind. It was like my wife was in two places at once!
Well, we all began to laugh as the husband looked sheepishly when I asked him if he hadn’t noticed that his wife had longer hair than I did?
No. I just knew what she was wearing!
Well, that brought about a fresh round of belly laughter from us all.
As I said goodbye to them and complimented the wife on her amazing outfit, I couldn’t stop laughing to myself. It just goes to show you that sometimes we only see what we want to see and the mind can play tricks on us!
Has that ever happened to you? What a funny coincidence, don’t you think?
Shine On!
xo
Misifusa's Blog 