So there we were, standing in the shoe section of Savers, covered in vomit.
My three year old had become the newest victim of whatever trendy virus everyone in St. Louis was coming down with. SUPER.
I quickly glanced around for a store employee so I could see about getting a mop so I could clean up our mess. Why are store employees always there when you don’t need them, but nowhere to be found when you need help?
All of a sudden two seasoned moms popped out from around the shoe rack. I heard “What can we do to help?” before I could even look up and fully assess the damage. I asked if they could stay with my cart so I could find an employee to get some cleaning supplies and was promptly told NO. “Just get your sick kiddo home!” What? Were complete strangers really offering to clean the disgusting mess MY kid made, AND stand guard to make sure nobody stepped in it??
I was floored. With all the bad news that surfaces regularly, it was heartwarming to be reminded there ARE good, kind people in the world. I profusely thanked them and quickly paid for the items my kid threw up on.
This seemingly random act of kindness was easily the highlight of my week and gently reminded me that a little kindness goes a long way. Something that’s hard to remember while wrangling two preschoolers! It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the here-and-now and think you’re on your own as a mom. I definitely felt alone when my husband and I became “instant parents” to our two foster kiddos when they were BOTH toddlers. It was also then when friends who also were busy parents, dropped what they were doing to help us settle in and get situated with our new family members. I realized it does take a village to raise kids! These acts of kindness also inspired me to keep an eye out for other moms who could use a quick helping hand. Whether it be a quick thumbs-up and a glance of solidarity to a mom with a kid in the throes of a tantrum, or offering to help get a sick kid’s mess cleaned up so she can get home, small acts of kindness to others can reach farther than you could ever expect.
