Almost

This morning Harper and I went to run a few errands.  All I had to say to her was that I wanted her to go to the store with me.  She didn't complain or gripe - it was like she wanted to go.  It was almost like she was just a normal kid, and was open to anything.

First stop was Office Depot. We had a minor emergency at one point, as she was in the ladies restroom, and the toilet paper holder fell off the wall.  She cried out for me. Fortunately, the store was pretty empty and it's a "1-holer" (and she hadn't locked the door!) - I ran in, fixed the toilet paper holder, and darted back out.  It was a minor miracle it was that easy, and she recovered almost as if nothing had happened.

Our intent of visiting Office Depot was to get a cheap USB keyboard and mouse, so that I could hook up the old laptop (with a busted screen) so that the girls can use it for games and homework.  We have a small flat-screen monitor, so we just needed a keyboard and mouse so we can leave the laptop lid closed and use it like we would a desktop.  Scored a wireless keyboard and mouse set for $20. 

Then we went to Target to look at a few things.  We checked out the carpet cleaners (ours is falling apart) and small desks (so they can put the new laptop setup on it) to no avail.  But, on our way out of the store, we ran into Holly, Harper's Girl Scout troop leader.  She hugged Holly and Zoe (Holly's daughter and Harper's friend) and we chatted for a little while.  Harper still showed some shyness, but she talked a little, and stood there patiently, smiling a bit, but still staring at the ground.  I could almost imagine Harper running off for a moment with her friend to play.

We then ran quickly over to Home Depot to check out their carpet shampooers.  We happened upon the kids activity, and then spent about 30 minutes building and painting a wooden truck.  The lady running the sign-in desk asked Harper if she went to Camp Quality this summer.  I was surprised at first, but then she explained that she volunteers at Camp Quality every summer.  I explained that Harper was "too early" in her diagnosis this summer to go, though really I think the registration had ended by the time Harper was even diagnosed.  She was very nice, hooked us up with a kit, and talked to us several times as we built it.  We ran into Cadence's best friend, Jasmine, and her dad there too. 

After leaving Home Depot, we then called home, and Melissa suggested we meet for lunch at Chick-fil-A.  Harper and I killed time in the pet store next door, looking at fish, hamsters, mice and birds.  She was in love with the little family of mice, which it looked like the babies had been born within the last few days.  She observed as people bought fish.  We also visited the cat rescue cage a couple times before wandering to Radio Shack next door, where we just perused the aisles and looked at the science kits they have.  She almost asked for one, but then decided not to.  I probably would have bought one if she'd asked.

Once Melissa arrived, Harper decided she didn't want Chick-fil-A, so she and I ate at Five Guys, while Melissa, Cadence and Finley ate at Chick-fil-A.  Harper ordered a cheese dog, but after eating the melted cheese off of it, decided it wasn't as good as she'd remembered and said she wished we had gone to Chick-fil-A.  While we were there, most people didn't stare, but one interesting gentleman walked up to us and asked "What happened to her hair." to which I responded "It fell out."  He continued to follow us around the place for a few minutes, talking about how he has friends in the shriners, and how he lost a lung to cancer (pack of Camels conspicuously in his shirt pocket, by the way).  After a couple of comments about getting a new government, he got his food, and departed.  Harper really didn't respond to him the whole time, almost like he wasn't there.

We're home again now, and the three girls have been, a little noisily, playing Minecraft together in their room.  They just went downstairs, and I hear the ice-shaver running.  They must be making snow cones.  It's almost like we're back to normal. 

Almost.