I think about this all the time.
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And I think about how small actions mean so much.
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I will never know who this other parent was but she had such a profound impact on my life that day, and I will forever be grateful for the time she sat with me and helped me get on my parenting way.
I had a 3 year old, a 21 month old, and a new baby. I was tired of sitting at home so I loaded up the car, did my parenting math on naps and feedings, and figured I could get us to a nearby mall in one piece and on a “schedule.”
That, of course, didn’t happen.
The baby didn’t nap and was fully awake, screaming, and hungry by the time we parked. We were all frazzled, but I decided I could get my toddlers onto a quarter ride while I fed the baby and salvaged the day.
As I was juggling the toddlers and the distressed baby, that’s when I heard another parent.
“Wait! I’m coming to help!”
I don’t know who she was. I know she put quarters into the ride for my kids, offered them snacks from her bag, sat with me in moral support, and said she had three kids, too.
She also said someone had helped when her 3rd was a newborn and she’d been waiting years for this chance.
She didn’t leave until she knew I had things back under control, and I think about her all the time.
I have spent every day since that moment trying to pay forward what she gave me, and it will never be enough to repay those 5 minutes of kindness.
