Shopping in General

Not sure when it began, but my dad loves to go to Walmart. There is a supercenter about five miles from their house and he used to go about every other day. He enjoys browsing and seeing what’s new. It’s good for him; keeps him current. He doesn’t always buy something, but it’s a good outing for him.

Now that mom is driving all the time I don’t think they go so much and sometimes she just sits in the car and lets my dad go in by himself. He’s left his cane there before. He went to ask about it at the customer service counter and the attendant brought out a whole grocery cart full of canes. It was funny! A lot of people forget their canes.

My dad has bought some non-stick cookware for my sister the last couple of Christmases. I assume he got it at Walmart after seeing a TV commercial. My sister didn’t know what to do with a special “air” fryer for making French fries. I think she burned hers somehow, but my dad had bought one for himself (which he—or Mom—would never use) and he gave it to my sister as a replacement. It makes me wonder about the power of suggestion to his mind.

But speaking of Christmas, I’m reminded of an old disturbing pattern my dad had when I was young. He would always buy mom a white blouse for Christmas. It was so boring and unimaginative and sad for mom. To me it spoke volumes about his lack of concern for her. This went on about ten years. After I left home, he started giving mom jewelry for Christmas. I figured she had a little talk with him.

You never know what you’re going to get for Christmas from him, although there’s a good chance it will be a flashlight. And it will definitely be from Walmart.