Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/links-are-more-than-little-pig-sausages!-connecting-the-links-of-child-care/5008612/
During my early childhood, I learned a lot about life and the universe at Pete's Market. Weekly grocery shopping excursions with my mother and five siblings were rarely, if ever, uneventful. At Pete's, I learned that it was best to use a bag when grinding coffee beans, that my younger brothers were quick enough to spring a mouse trap with their fingers (most of the time), and that my mother was a little apprehensive about sex education.My admiration for and awe of Al, the butcher, was obvious, and must have contributed to my mother's decision to send me to pick up the meat order each week at Pete's. My conversations with Al were wonderful. I felt like a big kid as he described the contents of each neatly tied butcher-paper package.
I can still hear and feel the kindness of his words when he asked me (on cue) if I needed anything else. "Don't forget the little pig sausages," I would reply predictably. He always acted as if I was in control of the ordering of the sausages. The rituals made me feel responsible and competent.
I am not quite sure when I learned ...