Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Dear woman in the doctor's office waiting room:

Dear woman in the doctor's office waiting room:
  I know you saw me. In my yogurt/banana/snot stained shirt, chasing my 2 year old around as he climbed on everything and everyone (from chairs, to decorations, to unplugging the Christmas tree). You heard me apologize and explain that my double stroller doesn't fit in the treatment rooms, so the single stroller had to do, and only one child could be contained at a time. You saw me desperately drain my phone's battery playing curious George to try to keep my kids appeased. You saw me switch up who remained stroller bound. You saw me then try and keep my three year old from biting patients. From knocking the magazines off the table over and over again. From hurting himself as he stumbled around. Then, as he climbed and flipped over the arm of the couch-half on, half off- I saw YOU rub his back. I saw you play with his feet, and make them "bicycle." I saw him calm, smiling. I saw you take his hand and walk with him. Hug him. Talk to him gently. I saw this as I desperately rolled the stroller around the room to keep my 2 year old from screaming and melting down. I smiled and thanked you. I made sure you knew he could bite. You were unfazed as you hugged my drooling and pinching toddler happily making him laugh. As we were (after an hour long wait) called backed I thanked you so dearly and sincerely and let you know
that you were amazing.Then I saw you put your hand on my shoulder and say "YOU are amazing." I saw the tears come from my eyes as I felt genuinely accepted and appreciated and loved by a complete stranger. I never even got your name. But you will never know the impact your kindness has made on this mother of 2 autistic children. Instead of the usual dirty looks and judgment, I got understanding and kindness. A rare thing in public when you have nonverbal autistic children. You understood. You didn't ask what was wrong with them. It didn't matter. You saw that you could help, and you did. If there were more people like you in this world, it would most certainly be a brighter place. I thank God for you, and I know there are angels out there among us. Thank you. 
Sincerely,
A mom who has never felt more accepted and understood

5 comments:

  1. How touching. Love to both women...

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  2. Thank you so much for reading!! I hope my story can help others look for opportunities for kindness in their own lives :)

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  3. I am enjoyed my reading through all your post. So emotionally raw and deeply touching. I can relate on so many levels. I am convinced you truly give your all to your kids and love them deeply.

    This woman/angel clearly understood where she could be helpful but probably wasn't aware to what degree she touched your life. Thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much!! She truly was an angel among us :)

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  4. I am enjoyed my reading through all your post. So emotionally raw and deeply touching. I can relate on so many levels. I am convinced you truly give your all to your kids and love them deeply.

    This woman/angel clearly understood where she could be helpful but probably wasn't aware to what degree she touched your life. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete