OK, I am going to post something that happened to me last week. I thought I should spread it around. I have learned in many ways throughout my life that it is easy to judge at a glance, but you don't really know the whole story.
I sent this out to a few friends the day after, so that is how it reads.
To All my Dear Friends:
While I was in Home Goods shopping this evening a little girl walked past me (maybe 6 years old). She had long, light red hair, a light green coat and a red and white stripped hat on. She was by herself looking at the children's toys. From the minute I saw her she really struck me somehow.
Her mom found her and she was in trouble for wandering off, so I asked the mom if she wanted me to reinforce that. I told the little girl that when I saw her by herself I was worried about her. She said "I know!" Her mom and I chatted little bit. She was in the store for a long time looking at things and I could tell she really had to edit herself as far as what she could buy and she kept threatening her daughter with calling her dad if she didn't stay close. They were a little loud and, in fact, one of the young employees was a bit rude to them. The mom seemed unsettled and the little girl was actually pretty patient. They were having fun together.
I knew immediately that I wanted to do something for them but I didn't know why or what. I thought candy for the kids (she said she had 4 more at home). I hung around looking at things hoping something would strike me or that I would see her pick something up and put it back down. I just couldn't come up with what felt right so I got in line behind her.
Well, it seems she was hoping to pay with her new Home Goods card but she hadn't received it in the mail yet and they wouldn't let her do it. I mouthed to the clerk that I would pay for it and handed her my card so the mom didn't see me. I was trying to keep it a secret. The clerk told her that someone else was paying for it for her and she was confused. Then she started to cry. She saw me sign the slip and thanked me and asked my name. She told me her name was Eileen and that she had 5 children. Four boys at home, she said. Then, "But, this isn't my oldest daughter. My oldest daughter who was 17 died earlier this year. She was diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder and she committed suicide." It was then I knew why she was so unsettled and why I felt the unexplained desire to help. One of the things they bought was a little wooden duck that you pull behind you on a string. Her daughter thanked me for it and walked out of the store pulling it behind her.
The clerks couldn't believe I had done that. And I wondered, why should it be such a big deal. Its so EASY.
At one point while I was wandering the store and thinking about it I was a little embarrassed that I might be intruding on a stranger's life by doing something for her and I hesitated. Now I am glad I followed through.
Love to all,
Nancy
I sent this out to a few friends the day after, so that is how it reads.
To All my Dear Friends:
While I was in Home Goods shopping this evening a little girl walked past me (maybe 6 years old). She had long, light red hair, a light green coat and a red and white stripped hat on. She was by herself looking at the children's toys. From the minute I saw her she really struck me somehow.
Her mom found her and she was in trouble for wandering off, so I asked the mom if she wanted me to reinforce that. I told the little girl that when I saw her by herself I was worried about her. She said "I know!" Her mom and I chatted little bit. She was in the store for a long time looking at things and I could tell she really had to edit herself as far as what she could buy and she kept threatening her daughter with calling her dad if she didn't stay close. They were a little loud and, in fact, one of the young employees was a bit rude to them. The mom seemed unsettled and the little girl was actually pretty patient. They were having fun together.
I knew immediately that I wanted to do something for them but I didn't know why or what. I thought candy for the kids (she said she had 4 more at home). I hung around looking at things hoping something would strike me or that I would see her pick something up and put it back down. I just couldn't come up with what felt right so I got in line behind her.
Well, it seems she was hoping to pay with her new Home Goods card but she hadn't received it in the mail yet and they wouldn't let her do it. I mouthed to the clerk that I would pay for it and handed her my card so the mom didn't see me. I was trying to keep it a secret. The clerk told her that someone else was paying for it for her and she was confused. Then she started to cry. She saw me sign the slip and thanked me and asked my name. She told me her name was Eileen and that she had 5 children. Four boys at home, she said. Then, "But, this isn't my oldest daughter. My oldest daughter who was 17 died earlier this year. She was diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder and she committed suicide." It was then I knew why she was so unsettled and why I felt the unexplained desire to help. One of the things they bought was a little wooden duck that you pull behind you on a string. Her daughter thanked me for it and walked out of the store pulling it behind her.
The clerks couldn't believe I had done that. And I wondered, why should it be such a big deal. Its so EASY.
At one point while I was wandering the store and thinking about it I was a little embarrassed that I might be intruding on a stranger's life by doing something for her and I hesitated. Now I am glad I followed through.
Love to all,
Nancy
