Good Samaritans

I just wanted to share a story of something that happened to me the other day.  It was a cold, rainy day, and the last thing I felt like doing was going out with the two boys but I had a laundry list of things that needed to be done and couldn't wait any longer.  So I mustered up the energy, packed my diaper bag, loaded the car with the kiddos and headed out.

It was just one of those days that nothing that you go out to get accomplished gets done.  None of the stores I stopped at had what I needed.  I forgot one of the checks I needed to deposit.  William was in desperate need of a nap.  I was "hangry," exhausted from another restless night with little sleep, and melting down.  I had one more stop at the post office and as I parked next to it, I sat there wondering how I could muster up the energy to once again unbuckle William, try to hold onto his hand to keep him from wandering into the street, while I tried to juggle the diaper back and get the car seat out of the car and lug both of them into the post office.  I made it in and was relieved to see no line.  Good.  One thing was going right.  As I started filling out the needed paperwork to send my package, people began filing in.  I frantically tried to finish up as I had to keep stopping to tell William to stop touching things.

"William, don't touch the packages."

"William, get out of the trash bucket."

"William...William?"  I looked around frantically until I noticed he had climbed behind things under the counter I am filling paperwork out on.

"William come back here."

"William, stop touching that ladies purse. No, don't touch the garland.  Yes, that's a bow.  No, don't touch it.  No, NO!" *marches over to hang bow back up*

By the end of this fiasco, a massive line of at least fifteen people, each with an array of boxes and packages to be mailed, had formed.  I looked with despair at the long line, knowing how long it would take to mail the one package I had, and walked to the end of the line, praying Marcellus would stay sleeping.

William, in the meantime, was working the crowds and loving the attention that he was getting from the ladies.  People in line began small talk, reminiscing about when their kids were that small and sharing stories.  Marcellus began to fuss a bit and one woman asked his name, noting how cute the boys were.  Then she asked if I'd like to cut her in line as she was near the front.  I thanked her and told her that was ok, I was fine (I'm sure I did NOT look fine).  Another woman said that she wouldn't mind either and one by one everyone agreed that I should cut the line.

I stood there for a second while I realized that all these people genuinely wanted to help out, probably remembering at one time being in that position themselves.  I thanked them and took them up on their offer.  They all began sharing stories about times when other people had helped them when they had little ones or when they had stepped up to help someone else in need.  And as I looked into their faces, instead of the annoyed expressions I expected to see after having to listen to me constantly reprimand a toddler and an unhappy infant ready to eat, I saw gentle and understanding expressions.

After finishing my transaction, I headed out and with the help of one of the men in line was able to get them both out the door and to the car. It was just what I needed to brighten my day; a reminder of the goodness of mankind. It may seem like a small thing, but to me, in that "frantic mom moment," it meant the world. I don't think people realize how much a small act of kindness can mean to someone, especially at this time of year when people get caught up in the holiday rush and can't even stop for two seconds to give you the time of day. In a world that is so anti-family, I often wonder how many people look with annoyance at children, rather than seeing the beauty of their innocence. These good Samaritans helped me realize that there are people out there that do recognize that; good people.

Anyway, that's my story. :) And here we are in the last week of Advent with Christmas soon upon us.

This week garland and lights were added to our manger scene

Despite the warm temperatures, its starting to feel a bit more "Christmas-y" around here. I have my holiday scented Yankee Candles burning and with the lights up on the manger, I'm definitely getting into the Christmas spirit more.

Here are some pictures of my boys from tonight.

I'll end it here with a few recent videos.

~Lindsay