I see old people. ~ September 17th, 2013

Originally we had planned on accompanying some of our friends to the zoo but they had a sleepless night and felt more like wild animals themselves and didn't want to view any that day. I had made the colossal mistake of mentioning "zoo" and "go" in the same sentence to our daughter so off we went.

 

Immediately upon entering the parking lot I sensed that something was not quite right. Where were all the strollers? Where was the telltale line of mothers with creatures? Why was I able to find parking so easily in a shady spot?

 

As I pulled into a spot I heard from the backseat, "I pee-peed!" So I went around to lay Nora on the opposite end of the backseat to change her diaper. In the midst of doing so a brand new Jaguar pulled in to the empty spot I was standing in and narrowly missed me. The other six empty spots near us were unsuitable I suppose. My bad, I should have known he was of the "but it's me" tribe. I grumbled to myself, glared at him, told him manically to have a great day, wondered why he left his car near me, and continued on with changing Nora.

 

As we walked to the entrance I reviewed the rules for the zoo with her:  we are not part of the exhibit, hold mama's hand, and if it's wet don't touch it. I wondered to myself why that old guy tried to run us over. Why was he in such a hurry? What was with all the luxury cars and disabled stickers...wait a minute!

 

Then I saw it in red LED lights on the display board above the ticket booth: "Free senior day."

 

Free senior day at the zoo? I hadn't heard of this but I thought it might be entertaining for Nora and it could mean she wouldn't have to fight with other kids to see the animals. There was no line to enter either because they were waving anyone that looked over 50 in with a simple "welcome". I was relieved that they didn't so to myself. The ticket booth warned me stoically that it was senior day. I responded, "Yeah, should be fairly quiet today." She looked at me with a smirk and said, "Not really." Hmm, bad day maybe? Not a fan of the senior citizen brigade? I would think "free" would be music to her ears since she only had to sit and stare for most of the day but maybe not.

 

Then we neared the ticket takers.  We see old people...and they're everywhere. Standing in clusters with maps, squinting through glasses, leaning on walkers, asking each other "WHAT?!", and loading onto limousine-sized golf carts nicknamed "Zoomers" being driven by doting volunteers. Nora clung to me a litter closer and gripped my hand. Maybe there would be hidden perks to this after all.

 

We avoided the Northwest exhibits and opted for the streamlined path that we typically took that started with the otters. Not so aromatic or crowded normally so it allowed for Nora to warm up to the idea of viewing animals.

 

As we entered the tunnel leading to the water mammals I noticed it smelled distinctly of ointment and pee. Nora exclaimed, "Pew! It stink!" An elderly couple shot a pair of menacing looks my way and I timidly responded to Nora while holding their eye contact, "Yes, honey, the animals can be stinky...let's go see them." Oh, if only this tunnel had a special bypass route.

 

The otters held little appeal for her since she now was convinced that they reeked of pee so we moved on to the sea lions. She was determined to take the stairs on her own down to the large viewing window and stood perfectly still while the seal did its loop up to the window in front of her. Displaying its belly up against the glass as it swooped into a back ben and sped away further into the tank to come back again and again while she stared in amazement. An elderly woman watched Nora with delight and approached us slowly using her walker for support. She couldn't make it down the stairs and settled for sitting on one of the sunken benches that ringed the exhibit window.

 

I took Nora's hand and led her back up the stairs and asked if she wanted to sit with me for a bit. She said ok and I made a point of sitting her near the woman but not too close. They had a short conversation about swimming, seals, and why they might stink. The lady asked me about Nora and was shocked that she was two. I'm not sure if she was trying to be flattering or was genuinely surprised but it was nice to hear all the same. She asked if she could rub my belly and I obliged her. Nora reminded me that I promised to see the polar bears so we wished her a good day and moved on.

We were both getting tired and I had promised her the train so I flagged down a zoomer to get a lift. Nora was all smiles and shouting, "Whoa!" We squeezed in next to an elderly woman with Nora in the middle. As I held onto Nora, the woman began talking to her, while farting loudly, and asking me about my pregnancy mentioning I must be due any day now. "Nope, only 22 weeks, thanks though." She then asked if he was kicking and groped my stomach before I could say anything to stop her. Nora came to the rescue, "NO! My baby! My brudda'!"

The lady cracked up laughing and commended Nora on being a protective sister. She looked up at her, gently patted her leg, and said sweetly with an understanding smile, "You pooped." The conversation abruptly ended. I was very proud of her and gave her a squeeze. Even a two year old knows that you're annoying lady. We were both relieved to be away from her and in line for the train shortly after departing the zoomer. The gentleman driving the cart gave us a knowing smile and wished us fun on the ride.

The train ride was wonderful! Peaceful and beautiful minus the loud conversations from the senior citizens and the odd gentleman seated in front of us who refused to stop staring at Nora even when she asked him to.



In this photo she was staring back at the old man staring at her and saying, "No like...stop it."

Nora commented how green it was, so many ferns, flowers, and happily ate her snacks. She reached for my hand and leaned against me with a sigh. It felt like magic, it was one of those moments that I had waited for over those many years in hopes of being a mother.

Then we got home. She refused to nap, two big stinky poops later and she refused to use the potty, and kept asking for "dada". This pregnant lady is looking forward to when I can sleep through the night without having to pee every few hours, when our children are potty trained, when we can take them on amusement rides...right now, I would just settle for a cocktail.

But as we cuddle on the couch watching Bob's Burgers, and I kiss her on her head, I remember the train ride together today, how my kisses are magic for her at this age and she tells me, "Elbow needs kiss." How my hugs can fix a bad day, the smiles she gives me, and our little jokes for each other. There are those don't understand my choice for staying at home with Nora but it's moments like those today that remind me why and how much I love being a mother.