Double Standard

I hate it when people touch the baby without asking.  Not people I know usually, but strangers in the store….wild-eyed craziness.  They can’t seem to keep their hands off of him.  He’s cute.  He’s friendly.  What’s not to like?  I have a strict “look but don’t touch” policy with my babies and I ruthlessly enforce it.  (I don’t know where people have been or if they washed their hands while they were there.)

Today I took #1 to the grocery store.  It was a mistake as it was the end of a long day for him and he was starting to cry and try to climb out of the shopping cart while we were in the check-out line.

“Okay #6, ” I said in my trying to calm the baby mommy voice. ” It will just be a minute more.”

I turned to pay the cashier when I heard a voice behind me say, “It’s okay, #6, come and see me while your mommy pays.”

I whiled around ready to draw blood in defense of my baby. Somebody was about to lose a hand.

 My anger melted instantly away when I saw that the kindly voice belonged to a middle-aged nun in full habit who was kissing my baby’s little fat cheeks.

“Hi, Sister, thanks.” I said as she bounced him in her arms and the novice who was with her held his little hand in her own. 

My rule on babies has been revised.  “Look but don’t touch….unless you’re a nun and then you can smoosh their little cheeks and kiss their sweet faces to your heart’s content.”  She’s the bride of Christ…I’m pretty sure she washes her hands.