Mall Muscle

Amy’s employer, Y12 Credit Union, held an employee’s day Saturday. For those who wanted to make the drive, free admission to Dollywood was offered to workers and their families. Amy and I wrapped the afternoon get together at the theme park with two, yes two, visits to Tanger Outlet Mall in Pigeon Forge. Again, I was amazed by my wife specifically and women in general as I watched the action.

Women might be the strongest of all living things on this planet. No one could convince me otherwise after seeing them in action at such large complexes. As soon as the car is stopped, women make b-lines for their first destinations. Of course, they have to get all the necessary gear for the day’s work. Pocketbooks the sizes of small luggage are draped around their arms. Jackets, umbrellas, and assorted papers are part of the equipment. Then this so-called weaker sex sets out a day filled with walking miles on concrete, asphalt, and marble surfaces. Some add bags filled with purchases to the things that they tote over the journey.

We men pour our attention to one thing at a time. Women are able to multi-task. Perhaps it’s out of necessity, but I’m always blown away at them when they shop. A female can shop in a store, talk on a cell phone, and read a list at the same time. I saw so many women handle their chores at the mall while tending to little ones in strollers. Some had those papoose sacks around their necks and soothed a small child with pats from one hand while thumbing through racks in search of the right size or color of an article with the other. A woman can try on a pair of shoes and hand a screaming child a bottle or sippy cup without missing a beat. She can tuck a cell phone in the crook of her neck and chat as she punches in the security numbers of her debit card to complete a purchase. Some care for elderly parents or friends and complete their shopping as they patiently make sure the older ones are having good times but aren’t edging toward exhaustion.

What might me be the most admirable quality of a woman as she ventures out on a shopping trip is her thriftiness. Outlet malls are places where prices are already reduced. Men find items they want a pay the stated prices. Women are always looking for ways to save even the smallest amounts. They arrived armed at stores with coupon books or clippings from papers that offer reduced prices. Amy had a booklet, but she also had her AAA card in hand to receive an extra 10% off already slashed and discounted prices. Women also pack foods and drinks so that they don’t waste money on those items that are usually so expensive in malls. Kids can be seen with sandwich bags of Cheerios, fruit roll-ups, boxed drinks. They’ll starve instead of plunking down money for a sandwich. Their only treats usually are cups of coffee or bottles of water.

Back at the car after hours of shopping, our amazing women load minivans and trunks with their loot and jump behind the wheel for the trip back home. Lost in her thoughts, Amy sat beside me as if she’d done nothing all day. On the other hand, I was “stoved up” from a day filled with walking all over Dollywood once and Tanger Outlet twice. My desire was to reach home, get a cool drink, and recover. Amy arrived at home, straightened up the kitchen, and washed a load of clothes. Guys, we play our games and imagine that ours is the hardest road. Our women work jobs, tend to need children and husbands, and still manage to tackle marathons at outlet malls. Look at them and stand in awe.

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