Waiting in line can be incredibly frustrating under any circumstance, especially when the line is long. A woman named Gina Medaris Murrow was starting to lose her patience while waiting in line at a Jo-Ann store, especially because there was a young boy right in front of her who, she sensed, was getting restless. She couldn't help but feel irritated.
The woman in front of the boy and his mother started entertaining the child, talking about his favorite flavor of gummy bears. She was so kind and pleasant that Gina felt her spirits lifted by the stranger's demeanor. The woman even let the mother and son check out before her.
Impressed and touched by the interaction, Gina struck up a conversation with the woman. She had no idea that the reason why the woman had been so kind and understanding was rooted in tragedy: she revealed that she had lost a son.
Struck by the significance of the moment, Gina wrote about it on Facebook as a reminder to everyone that a little kindness can go a long way.
Photo source: Twitter / Eric Larkey
I was standing in a long line at Jo-Ann Fabrics yesterday, feeling rushed and tired. Two people in front of me, many more behind me and only one clerk. The second lady in line had a 4-year-old son in the cart, who though behaving, was clearly ready to be done with shopping.
I'm ashamed to say I inwardly groaned; I was too tired to feel patient with whiney boys. Then the first woman in line turned to the mom and son with a big smile, "Gummy bears!" she exclaimed pointing at the bag of sweets the boy was holding. "I love the yellow ones! Which is your favorite?" She was so warm, friendly and inviting, immediately the boy smiled and responded. "I like the green ones," he said shyly.
They carried on a lively conversation about candy bears, and their cheerfulness began to spill over into the line. I started smiling. I looked at the line behind me and everyone in line was smiling. When the clerk was available, the first woman waved the mom and son through, "You go on," she said with a smile. The grateful mom pushed the cart up to check out, and I moved up next to the smiling woman.
"That was so nice of you," I said and smiled at her. "Ah, well, it's the least I could do," she chuckled, "He was doing well, but I could tell he was getting tired." Then her face took on a wistful look as she watched them check out. "My son passed," she said softly.
What?! I looked at her face. She was serious. "That could have been me," she added softly. Then she gave herself a little shake, and the conversation turned back to cheerful observations about adorable 4-year-old customers. When the mom and boy started on their way out, she waved cheerfully, "Bye, Friend! Be sure to eat the yellow ones!" And she moved up to the checker. I looked behind me and the whole line was smiling at the exchange.
Here was a woman bearing a hidden pain, but she gave back joy, compassion and kindness to everyone around her. We can learn from her example. As you go about your day look around and behind you, and see what simple kindness you can leave in your wake.
Please SHARE if you know how important it is to spread kindness wherever you go!
