This made me sad...

Yesterday, I was at the VP off the Muncie Bypass on my way home from school. I got out to fill up my tank, and I noticed a dad carrying his young son, maybe under 2 years old, to another car in the parking lot of the gas station. The little boy was kissing his dad and loving all over him, and the dad was giving him lots of hugs.

I then put two and two together that the dad was giving his son over to his mom, the picture perfect custody hand-off. In the dad's car was a woman, presumably his new wife or girlfriend. In the mom's car was a man, probably her new husband or boyfriend. The dad handed the little boy to his mom; dad and mom managing not to say a word to each other. The mom buckled the little boy into his car seat, and the dad headed back to his car to drive away.

I couldn't help but stare. I kept my eyes on the little boy...thinking about how much he didn't understand....and how he probably understood more than what his parents realized. The two parties involved seemed civilized enough, but I am sure it had to have gotten ugly at some point along the line, otherwise they wouldn't be exchanging a child at a gas station.

I felt really sad for the boy, but then again maybe it was for the better. Maybe everyone is happier with this arrangement. I felt my belly for my baby and promised him/her that he/she would never have to experience that....a life without Mom and Dad together and in love. The sad part is, the two individuals I witnessed at the VP probably thought that, too.