Baby Mama

I went home this weekend to see my baby niece... and my parents of course. My sister had dropped her off with my parents so she (my sister) could move all her stuff from California to Florida without the added stress of a baby (and so our parents could watch her… of course).

Anyways, I went to Wal-Mart to get some things for my dorm (a swiffer and a hand vacuum) and I had Addy (my niece) with me in the little cart. I was walking down the aisle looking for the swiffers (which turned out to be all folded up in a box – who would have thought?!) when this lady comes up to me:

Lady: She’s so adorable - her blond hair and blue eyes
Me: *smiling* yeah
Lady: How old is she?
Me: Just turned a year in September
Lady: *stares at me with a pointed look at my hand* Her mother must be so proud
Me: Yes, she is... I'm her aunt
Lady: oh of course…

I guess I can understand her thinking that Addysen was my daughter (and I’m a little flattered, because she is one of the most beautiful babies I’ve ever known), but her stare was pretty rude. So if Addy had actually been my baby, would she have judged me by what she thought my age was (because she certainly hadn’t asked my age)? I mean, who gives looks like that anymore?!

Ok, but can I really judge her for thinking badly of me? Because not only do I look young (ok, maybe I am young), but I also wasn’t wearing a ring, and she was probably one of those “sex out of wedlock is evil” people (which of course is me judging her now)

You see how convoluted judging can become?! By her judging me, I began judging her, and the cycle goes on. Everyone makes split second judgments on other people, but my new goal, for this week at least, is to try to suppress my judgments and keep an open mind. We’ll see if that works out…