DISCLAIMER: This blog post was written in response to the news that Amazon Fresh would no longer be delivering to my area. After taking a few days, I realized I needed to mourn in the only way I know how: through writing. This is not an ad. Simply the ramblings of a broken hearted woman. To anyone else who might be feeling the impact of this loss, may my words bring you solace in this difficult time. AmazonFresh may have only been a part of our lives for a few weeks, but it will be in our hearts forever.
“Mommy,” he whispers, on his tip-toes to reach me from the side of the bed. “It’s here.”
My heart flutters and I blink myself awake. Glancing at the clock, I realize it is not even 6:30…but I don’t care. Without stopping to put on my glasses or shoes, I follow my excited children to the front door. A surge of adrenaline causes me to fumble with the lock. I take a quick second to consider the possibilities that await us on the other side. It is going to be a good day. A magical day. Because today, is AmazonFresh delivery day.
I’ve always been wary of food delivery services. Horror stories about getting old produce, and meat with iffy expirations dates were enough to send back to the grocery store every week. Then one day I broke. I had had enough. A woman can only take having to push screaming kids in a police car shopping cart, so many times. Quite honestly, compared to pushing one of those things around, with two kids flailing inside, child birth is a breeze.
Considering everything else in my home comes from Amazon I figured, why not give them even more of my money? The delivery guy is here almost every day. He might as well bring me some groceries while he’s at it! I took the plunge.
The instant gratification that comes with online shopping is a tricky beast. I do not doubt that it has affected my (already questionable) psyche. What about the developing minds of my children? They have never known a life with television commercials. They prefer FaceTime to actual phone calls. When I turn on the radio in the car instead of Spotify, they freak out when I cannot control what song comes on next. I am very aware that patience is something that they need to have, even in this modern world…I am also not about to forego modern conveniences.
As promised when I first introduced this blog, I don’t have the answer. I could wax poetic about the importance of balance and give you half plagiarized advice on the beauty of unplugged parenting. But who am I kidding? Raising children is hard. Scratch that. It is so unbelievably difficult, that I would argue it is a mission for the deranged and disturbed. If you only knew how many times a day I come in contact with other people’s bodily fluids, you would agree that only a crazy person would take on this job willingly.
What I will say is this. Sure, there are days where my kids spend their time outside with the fresh air and chickens. However, more often than not, they start the day watching Daniel Tiger so I can shower and get dressed without interruption. And while I wish I could be the mom who makes beautiful color coordinated meal prep spreadsheets, I’m just not.
That is why, when I finally opened the door on that beautiful chilly morning, I marveled at the miracles of today. With a few simple clicks of my keyboard, I was able to do all my grocery shopping for the week. Without a police car shopping cart in sight, I calmly selected the food that would nourish my family. And then, as I slept, the magical Amazon Elves delivered my selections to my doorstep.
My apologies to my children’s future mentors, coaches, and teachers. If using these nearly-instant services has impacted my kids’ ability to overcome obstacles, I will shoulder the blame. All I can say, is that the peace and tranquility I get from food delivery, is unparalleled. I guarantee I am a better mom, unpacking the delivered green refrigerated bags, than I am when I am sweating and cursing in the grocery store.
If anyone out there is feeling guilty for relying on the crutches of our society, this is for you. Tomorrow I promise to make my kids complete their nature journals, while weaving their clothes from yarn made with recycled corn husks. But today? Today I am going to soak in the privileges of the 21st Century. Because today is magical. And today, is AmazonFresh delivery day.