So, it is finals week for all the summer courses I took. And I have the stomach flu or something similar, which is fun. I had to go get some meds and try to find some groceries that I could keep down. And while I was tired and crabby and didn't want to haul a toddler and his feeding tube through the store, I went.
And I am so happy I did.
In the frozen food section, I was looking for french fries. On the other side of the aisle there was an older gentleman. I didn’t think much of him until he turned around. I saw that he had a nasal feeding tube. He smiled at Easton, and my little social butterfly got so excited- per usual.
The man saw Easton backpack and feeding tube line hanging down from the cart. I said that Easton had a feeding tube too! The guy looked so happy. He told me that this was the first time that he had been out in public with his feeding tube, and that he had been very nervous about it. He thanked me for being so kind and he gave Easton a high five. He said he hoped we had a wonderful day and we went our separate ways.
Easton blew him kisses goodbye.
Cut to me rushing through check out and crying it up in the car 😭
This led me to reminisce about the first time I brought Easton out with his feeding tube and pump backpack.
I remember it very vividly and even had a picture from it. We had been home from the hospital for a week or so. I met my sister and mom at Target. I only knew how to dress Easton is pajamas around his new feeding tube. I carefully covered up his feeding tube line in his carseat with a blanket. I hung his pump backpack under the car seat so you couldn’t see it.
Aaaand then I left before I bought anything. Easton’s feeding pump started beeping. A few people noticed, and I was mortified. I quickly turned off his pump and left the store so I could fix it in the car. And then I left.
I was so so worried that someone would notice or ask questions or judge us. Which was pretty stupid.
For the longest time, I always covered up his line with a blanket. Partially to keep Easton from grabbing it, but I think it was more about other people. About being different.
How often do we cover up, hide, or minimize things that make is different, and in return we miss so many potential connections! How many people with feeding tubes have a missed because they or I had lines covered? How many people could I have been helped by or given advice to, if I just took that blanket away.
So thank you, grocery store man. Thank you for being bold, uncovered, and brave. Thank you for opening my eyes and being a tubie friend!
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