Cried at Costco today...

but not for the reasons you'd assume. The children were actually very well behaved, the sample lines were orderly, and I didn't even exceed my budget. No, I didn't cry for an obvious reason it was because I was having a conversation with my daughter that touched me deeply.

We were purchasing supplies for my brother and sis-in-law to take to an orphanage in Haiti. Through a generous donation I was able to pick up a ton of protein bars and fruit roll-up among other things. As Tori was watching me fill our cart with all the boxes she asked me about what I was doing.

So, we started talking about the orphans and I reminded her about the children in the earthquake that she had seen on TV and how her and her daddy had given money to help them. I explained that her Auntie and Uncle were leaving to help them in a few days and that we were buying food for them.

This led into a conversation about orphans-it's difficult to tell my child that there are children in this world without parents so I tried to keep it as light as possible. I said something about their parents not being around to help them anymore so they all live together. She immediately processed my answer and said, "because they died in the earthquake? Did the roof fall on them- maybe? That's so sad!"

I was amazed that she got it and nervous that she would worry about us or be paranoid about earthquakes but again she surprised me and said, "I should draw them pictures to make them not so sad." I told her that that was very thoughtful and then she asked how many children there were so she'd know how many pictures to draw. I answered, "there are 115 at the orphanage they are going to." She got really quiet and said with a lot of emotion, "that's a lot." And my eyes welled up... I was doing all I could to hold it together in the check out line realizing that it is A LOT and that doesn't even begin to account for the true number effected. I'm glad we can help in some small way. I wish we could do more. Like provide a loving home for some of the orphans... we're still waiting for an adoption placement.

So, that's why I cried at Costco today. I think it was a good reason though and I'm certainly not ashamed. My heart is broken for them but thankful that my daughter cares as well.