Woman regrets being annoyed at a fussy child in long line after stranger turns around to reveal painful secret
As humans, our emotions often get the best of us and we may react impulsively. People will recall times when they may have responded in a way they didn’t intend to. It is important to go past those impulsive emotions and share a light. Everyone has some battle, but real strength lies in emerging out of it with hope and love to share. A woman, Gina Medaris Murrow, shared an experience at a store that left her a heart-touching life lesson, per LoveWhatMatters. Recalling a time when she was stuck in a long line at a store, she couldn’t help but feel annoyed at a 4-year-old boy’s whining. However, when she came across a stranger who tackled the same situation wholesomely, her perspective shifted.
The woman mentioned that she was at the JoAnn Fabric store and was already tired. There was a long line and she was third in line. She then noticed the woman ahead of her with a 4-year-old boy. Murrow mentioned that though he was behaving, he was done with shopping. “I'm ashamed to say I inwardly groaned; I was too tired to feel patient with whiney boys,” she said. At that time, the woman who was first in line did something unexpected. “She turned to the mom and son with a big smile, 'Gummy bears!' she exclaimed, pointing at the bag of sweets the boy was holding.”
The woman got into an impromptu conversation with the little boy and Murrow simply observed. “'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,’” the post read. Murrow didn’t understand why this hectic and tense situation blossomed into a light-hearted one. “I started smiling. I looked at the line behind me and everyone in line was smiling,” she recalled. Eventually, the woman allowed the mom and her son to go through first and Murrow caught herself in a conversation with the lady who waited patiently. Appreciating the woman, Murrow was glad to hear her perspective. “He was doing well, but I could tell he was getting tired,” the woman told her.
“Then her face took on a wistful look as she watched them check out. 'My son passed,' she said softly” the post read. Murrow was baffled and left speechless. The woman must have had her heart ripped apart but she carried forward something amazing despite it. “What?! I looked at her face. She was serious. 'That could have been me..' she added softly,” she said. Murrow couldn’t understand how someone could deal with their pain along with being strong and humane about it. The bereaved mom regained her smile before looking at the 4-year-old and his mother and saying goodbye.
“When the mom and boy started on their way out, she waved cheerfully, 'Bye, Friend! Be sure to eat the yellow ones!'” Murrow remarked. The woman went about her billing and went on and Murrow was left with a profound reflection. “Here was a woman bearing a hidden pain but she gave back joy, compassion and kindness to everyone around her.,” she exclaimed. Her exhaustion turned into gratitude and smiles. She concluded with a message that each of us can ponder. She said, “As you go about your day, look around and behind you and see what simple kindness you can leave in your wake.”