Shopping is NOT my favorite activity!!! I am usually on a "mission" when I go shopping. My least favorite shopping is when I take Colin shopping.
Colin does not understand how money works (not sure I do either, hehe) If things don't go according to his plan, it could trigger an outburst equivalent to that of a 2 year old having a complete meltdown, complete with kicking and screaming and hitting; yes, it has happened. I cringe at the thought. Remember "Rainman"?? Yes, that is what he is capable of.
Colin does not understand how money works (not sure I do either, hehe) If things don't go according to his plan, it could trigger an outburst equivalent to that of a 2 year old having a complete meltdown, complete with kicking and screaming and hitting; yes, it has happened. I cringe at the thought. Remember "Rainman"?? Yes, that is what he is capable of.
Shopping with Colin is usually an opportunity for me to hone my negotiating skills and I must say I really suck at doing that with him. Progress not perfection - you have likely heard me say THAT before.
Friday night, after a long very busy week at work and an especially trying day at work, Colin "negotiated" a shopping trip with me. This shopping trip was specifically for the purpose of getting Colin a new suit. Ahem!!!
Colin LOVES to wear suits. It is an obsession with him. He truly has "champagne taste" on a "beer budget" and makes it work for him.
Colin actually started the day with his regular phone call to me at 7:30 am - he was in the most cheerful mood. Dennis even commented on it.
I picked him up for our little shopping trip at 4:00 pm. I prayed (I don't always) for patience, enthusiasm, strength and courage and the sense of humor to lighten this task for both of us.
Tonight was a miracle. The cheerfulness was infectious - he found humor in everything. We needed to get some Christmas shopping done first (one of his favorite things is shopping for Christmas presents). He came up with some really good ideas for his brothers and sisters-in-law and we were able to get all these things in a reasonable time frame and within his budget. He found something funny in all the situations.... I am beginning to wonder if someone "fed him something"???
We went into one store to buy something for his young nephews and found just the right thing. The sales clerk who processed our purchase commented on the "mood" that Colin and I were in. The sales clerk said a couple times "I don't get the joke" but said it in a way that he knew what was going on - it truly was a very cool experience. This young man could see that Colin was special and he just played right into the "mood". Thank you God.
Then came shopping for the "dreaded" suit. Colin tried one suit on - tooooo expensive and it did not fit right anyways. Colin usually expresses his disappointment in a very inappropriate way but he was unfazed by this. This sales person also saw that Colin was special needs and you know some people are so mature, kind and compassionate and that is what we got from this individual.... AMAZING!!
The second suit was perfect (how the heck did that happen??? who planned that anyways???). We went on to find the perfect shirt, tie and pocket pouf. Are you kidding me??? We got this all done in about 40 - 45 minutes!!! This is a miracle. My little Christmas Miracle - and the beautiful thing is that it was done with enthusiasm, grace, fun and humor. God was all around us on this shopping trip. No, that does not mean that I am going shopping again tomorrow, unless I am taking my grand kids (hehe).
I will be sure to take God shopping with Colin and I next time; guaranteed!!!
Anybody want to take Colin shopping??
