Bending over becomes difficult

I'm at the point where every day tasks are becoming harder; lifting grocery bags, vacuuming the drifts of cat hair, leg shaving. I caught myself laughing today as I walked back from the store in the rain with a 5 lb bag of flour and the same of sugar and by the time I was home (two blocks) I was huffing. People tend to smile at me for no reason these days which I guessing is the belly - and I will say I've relied on the kindness of strangers more than once to help me lift things like 20 lbs of cat litter into the trunk of my car.

Best ever though was in Kihei, HI - I went to the store alone for a case of bottled water and laundry detergent. The cashier asked me if I wanted help out and I reluctantly said yes (I still cling to the belief that I can do everything myself which isn't true anymore). Suddenly over the loudspeaker I hear "Pregnant Lady at Checkstand 3, Pregnant Lady at Checkstand 3". It boomed throughout the store. I'm standing there thinking, wow, they are talking about me as everyone in line has stopped what they are doing and are staring.

Out of the back comes help in the form of a wee wizened Hawaiian man who is probably pushing 80 (or just leathery from all that sun). He is teeny tiny! I think perhaps I should just haul this water out myself as he may hurt himself...but no! My grocery store prince takes the cart from me and expertly wheels it out to our fabulous rented white Mustang convertible and lifts that case of water right out of the cart as if it was a bag of cotton balls, and neatly packs it into the front seat. I take my one hit of Tide out which fits in the palm of my hand. He looks at me expectantly. I had him the Tide. He smiles, fits the Tide (again, the size of a postcard) behind the water and closes the door to the car with a flourish. I thank him, he smiles again and is off! We have just had a basically wordless transaction. I was a little bit in love with my tiny man by the time this was all over and considered asking him to drive me home. I bet he would have. Now that was the Maui Spirit!