On another gorgeous sunny big sky Saskatchewan afternoon, Makiya and I go to Regina for a bit of birthday shopping for her. It’s a gorgeous drive—about an hour from Caronport, where I pick her up at her home, to Regina. I’m smitten by the prairie scenery, of course. But more so by the conversation we share when it’s just the two of us and she opens up about all manner of things important to a 14-year-old.
I’m expecting something different (read: smaller) than what Cornwall Centre turns out to be. Makiya, having been here before with her mama, directs me through city streets in the shadow of tall buildings reaching to the sky on all sides (one of my worst nightmares) to the parkade and, ultimately, to the mall itself. I have grown accustomed to the small city feel of Moose Jaw and now feel like I’m back in downtown Seattle. I feel like a country mouse.
We make a beeline to her chosen stores and make our purchases. I suggest wandering around; I’d like to know what’s in the mall in case I want to return one day. We stop in one of our favourite bath and body stores and are, predictably accosted the moment we step foot in the door (I hate how they do this in every store of this brand). We escape the over enthusiastic sales person and have just started looking around when she turns to me.
”Can we go?”
I recognize that look on her face. She’s had enough.
We make our way back to the parkade, out and through congested city streets, and back on the Trans Canada highway leading toward home. Our conversation resumes and I’m so grateful for the close and easy bond we share. This afternoon is a priceless gift.
Later, I drop her off at home and she plans to head to the gym. I backtrack to Moose Jaw, feeling a little overstimulated by the mall experience, but content and thankful for one on one time spent with my granddaughter. I’m tired by the time I get home where a hungry Yorkie and husband are waiting. I putter in the kitchen, feeding Maya and making an easy skillet dinner for Gerry and me.
It’s been a good day and I am grateful. Tired, but oh-so-thankful.