Buttons and Memories

I miss my mom. I used to push all the buttons just as she would walk down the aisle, a mischievous glint in my eye. Each time we visited the grocery store, I’d dash ahead, my small fingers dancing over the colorful buttons of the self-checkout machine. With each beep, she’d turn around, half-laughing, half-exasperated. “You little rascal! One day, you’re going to break it!” she’d say, shaking her head, but her smile would give her away. Those moments were filled with laughter and light, the kind of memories that could brighten even the dullest days.

Since her passing, the grocery store has become a hollow place for me. I walk through, the automatic doors sliding open with a soft whoosh, and I feel the weight of the emptiness settle in my chest. The shelves filled with brightly packaged goods seem to mock my solitude. I can still hear her voice, echoing in my mind, reminding me to pick up my favorite snacks or to try a new recipe. I wander through the aisles, my heart heavy, searching for a piece of her in every corner.

I remember how she would linger by the produce, inspecting the apples with care, always choosing the shiniest ones. “The best things in life are worth taking a moment to choose,” she would say, her hands gently brushing over the fruit. Now, I find myself standing there, staring at the apples, unable to choose. They all seem dull and lifeless without her touch.

The self-checkout machines are still there, their buttons waiting to be pressed, but they feel like a cruel reminder of what I’ve lost. I can’t bring myself to push them anymore. The last time I stood in front of one, the memories flooded back. I could almost hear her laughter, feel her presence beside me. But it was just a memory, fleeting and painful.

Every week, I return to the store, hoping that somehow it will feel different, that I’ll find a way to connect with her again. But the aisles remain unchanged, their fluorescent lights buzzing overhead like a persistent reminder of my loneliness. I see other families laughing and chatting, and I feel like an outsider looking in on a world that no longer includes me.

One evening, as I walked past the cereal aisle, I spotted a box of her favorite brand. It was decorated with bright colors and cheerful characters, a stark contrast to the heaviness in my heart. I hesitated for a moment, then reached out and grabbed it, a sudden rush of nostalgia washing over me. I could almost see her standing beside me, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “Let’s get it! We can make our special breakfast tomorrow!” 

With the box cradled in my arms, I made my way to the checkout. I felt a warmth spreading through me, the kind of warmth that comes from cherished memories. But as I stood there, scanning the items and watching the screen flash numbers, I realized that I was alone. The laughter we shared, the spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen, all of it felt like a distant dream.

When I got home, I placed the box on the kitchen counter, a bittersweet smile tugging at my lips. I thought about making pancakes, just like we used to, the kitchen filled with the scent of vanilla and maple syrup. I reached for my phone to call her, to share the news, but my heart sank as reality set in. There would be no more calls, no more laughter echoing through the house.

That night, I sat in the dark, the box of cereal beside me, feeling the weight of my grief settle in. I poured myself a bowl, the sound of the cereal hitting the milk breaking the silence. As I took the first bite, tears streamed down my cheeks. Each crunch reminded me of the moments we had shared, and I felt an ache in my chest for the warmth of her presence.

“I miss you, Mom,” I whispered into the stillness of the room. “I wish I could press all the buttons just one more time, hear you laugh, feel your hand in mine.” 

But the buttons would remain untouched, just as the aisles of the grocery store would remain silent, a reflection of the emptiness I felt inside. And in that moment, I realized that while the world continued to move forward, I would always carry her with me, a bittersweet reminder of the love that once filled my life.

Mom leaves “baby” in car while she shops at Target – promises others that he’s OK

These days, it seems as though you can hardly move in public without running the risk of being discovered online.

We have truly entered the era of viral tales and clips, where funny, awkward, and occasionally extremely personal movies and images of ourselves can be published and shared instantly over the internet.

Of course, this can be exploited, but it can also occasionally be used for good; consider the instances in which people are called out for wrongdoing.

I think that’s what people on the internet thought was going on when an Instagram picture went viral in early March, supposedly showing a message written by a mother who had left her infant in the car to go shopping at Target.

Sufficient to halt the heart, surely? There’s more to this story than meets the eye, so don’t worry.

Influencer Bonnie Engle posted a reel on Instagram back in March, and it quickly went viral. The video has received millions of views and over 1,000 comments since it was posted.

The aforementioned video features a close-up of a handwritten message that has been taped inside a car window and says, “My baby is OK.” He’s got his drink and his nibbles! I’m in Target right now. Return soon!

It goes without saying that for many of the people who watched the video, the note alone was enough to startle.

However, many who were willing to watch the film quickly realized that Engle is more of a mischievous spouse than a terrible mother. The camera pans back a few seconds after the previously described close-up on the message in the window, exposing that Engle’s baby in the car is actually her husband.

“Please no judgment,” is how the influencer captioned the Instagram video. He is secure and in good health.

Her spouse is spotted waiting inside the car while enjoying some popcorn.

Thankfully, viewers in the comments section found humor in Bonnie’s video.

One person wrote, “My heart dropped and then I LMAO.”

Another said, “Leaving them in the car is so much easier.”

“For a split second, I thought I was going to lose it… That surprised me, too,” a third person said.

Many of Engels’ posts, according to reports, are lighthearted and ideal for mothers who can identify with the day-to-day challenges of motherhood.

What was your impression of Bonnie’s video? Use the comment section to share your opinions with us.

This video undoubtedly had a humorous component, but it’s crucial to constantly keep in mind that you should never leave kids—or dogs, for that matter—in heated cars.

Please share this post to assist us in spreading a crucial message and if you thought Bonnie’s short was humorous.

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