So there I was, standing in line at the grocery store, actively – albeit, unconsciously – comfort-swaying, with an imaginary baby on my hip.
Me: *minding my own business, swaying*
Obviously new mother behind me with tiny baby in what looks like a custom-made seat just for a grocery cart, covered in a cute dolphin-inspired blankie: *giggles loudly in my direction*
Me: *heavy sigh* Great. Here we go. She’s going to talk to me.
New mother (in an overly cute, mom-conspiratorial tone): I guess that sway becomes a habit, doesn’t it?
Me: *confused, deer in the headlights look that I always get when random people approach me for conversation in public*
Me: *it finally hits me just what the hell she’s talking about* Ummm…
New mother: Where is the wee one … ?
Me: Well, ummm… I have two children …
New mother with completely unnecessary glee: Oh! That’s wonderful! How old are your dear little things?
Me: 26 and 19. As in years. Not months.
New mother: *looks both confused and aghast*
Me: Yeah, habit … you have no idea.
Okay, so I can’t be the only mother of grown children who still comfort-sways when standing in line…right? Right!?
Musings from a Tangled Mind 
You finally have left me unable to add anything, Wendy.
Sigh. When I sway, people think I’m intoxicated, yet as far as I can tell it’s the same sway I used to sooth our infants, many many years ago. This job fell to me because I seemed to be better at it and didn’t fatigue as quickly as the wife.
Perhaps the assumption is that mother’s but not father’s do this?
Funny!
I do this as well, usually if I’m holding ANYTHING in my hands or arms. I think the comfort is really for me these days. Comfort for having to stand in line with people. PEOPLE!!