At the store yesterday I held my three month old daughter, who had grown fussy in her carseat in the cart, while pushing a cart full of necessities. These necessities included a giant storage tub that was balanced on top of the cart, resting on the carseat, and sticking well above my head. I tried my best to steer one handed while peeking around the edge of the tub and leaning to keep the baby from bobbing too much in my one-armed hold.
When I reached the register she started to squirm in my arm and the ladies behind me began speaking to her and making her smile. One offered to help me unload my cart onto the belt but I said thank you but I could get it. It is that new mom pride of trying to prove I can handle the challenge. I loaded the belt one handed, paid one handed, and then stood there looking at my loaded cart with my baby's winter blanket tucked in the carseat at the bottom.
The woman, reading my mind, said "could I grab her blanket out for you?" I accepted gratefully. I tossed the blanket over her and then began trying to hold her and blanket in one arm and wheel the cart toward the door. Again the woman stepped forward. She took the cart and said, "where did you park?"
This generous stranger not only pushed my cart to my car but loaded the back while I buckled my daughter in the carseat so she wouldn't get cold waiting. I said thank you more than a dozen times and wished I could have expressed it more. Yes, I could have managed on my own but it wasn't necessary. We are here to help each other and part of that is to accept the help when it is offered.
I'm so grateful for this woman and her help. I'm grateful she offered to get the blanket even after being turned down for helping load the belt. I'm grateful I got out of my own way and accepted the help. I'm grateful to feel so supported in this beautiful world. I'm grateful for kind souls willing to reach out and assist others. I'm grateful for those who have accepted my help in the past and I'm grateful for the reminder to reciprocate. I'm grateful for generosity.
How can you offer to help someone today? How can you accept assistance?
May today bless us with a caring, generous community. May we give and receive loving help this season. Have a beautiful day!