Back in April, I wrote a status update on Facebook about an experience I had at Target. I had someone ask me about that post today, and I thought I would share it here so I can keep track of it. (Trying to find a Facebook post that’s 4 months old is difficult!) Here’s the story for those of you who haven’t read it before:
I was at Target this morning and there was a young mom in the bathroom with two young children. She was changing a diaper, and her daughter (about 4 years old) was screaming throwing a tantrum and wouldn’t come out of the stall. Another woman, probably in her 60s, glared at the young mom and said sternly, “Do you need help? I can tell you right now, my children would never have tried something like that on me! You should reach your hand under the door and drag her out and SWAT her butt!”
The poor young mom looked as though someone had just completely deflated her. Her face turned red and she replied, “I’m so sorry!”
I turned to the younger woman and said, “Don’t worry! I had 5 kids under the age of 5 at one time. I feel your pain, but it DOES get better!” She smiled a bit and got back to changing the diaper, screaming child in the background.
The older woman left, I left and went to the Starbucks in the store, bought a Mocha Frappuccino and brought it back to the bathroom where the mom was still pleading with her daughter to come out. I handed her the coffee and said, “Here. Take this. I’ll climb under and unlock the stall.”
She looked at me kind of stunned while I crawled under the door. The little girl immediately stopped crying and I said, “Hi! You know, your mom is pretty stressed out out there with your little brother. Do you think you can come out and help her?”
She came out of the stall and ran to her mom (probably terrified of the scary lady).
The mom gave me a huge hug, tears welling up in her eyes, and said , “Thank you! You just made my day!”
Moral of the story: taking a moment to help someone in need not only helps meet their immediate need, but fills your own heart to overflowing!
KristyLouT says
Wow. You just made me tear up. This is the stuff I ALWAYS want to do for others. And heraing of someone else do it, inspires me to do it too. Thank you.
Life Made Full says
Thank you, KristyLouT! It’s one of my favorite stories since it reminds me that even the little things go a long way!
Amber says
Ok, this has got to be one of the best stories ever. I think it is the SWEETEST thing that you climbed under the door to get her daughter! I can only imagine the look on her face. lol Thank you so much for sharing!
Life Made Full says
Thanks, Amber! Her face was priceless. =)
Sarah Malone says
I have to share this! Shanti, I know there are sometimes people who comment on your posts who have something stuck up their rears, but if any of them saw your posts like this, I think they would change their mind. This is so sweet and such a wonderful example of a random act of kindness!
Life Made Full says
Aw, thank you for the encouragement, Sarah! One encouraging comment goes a LONG way!