Monday, September 15, 2008

thoughts about kindness

Today I get a gold star and so do my children. We made it through 45 minutes of post office line horror with happy faces and few stares. Pure love for you, Amber, is what got us through.

But while in line, there was a woman in front of me, and one in front of her with twins. Twin two-year olds, people. This woman spoke spanish so I have no idea what she was saying to them, but she was continuously trying to get them to stay by her and behave. At one point, one of the children starts running and trips and starts crying rather loudly. The mother runs to pick up the child and console her and the woman in front of me (who looks to be 50ish) turns to me and says, "Well it serves that woman right. She isn't even watching those kids. What a terrible mother." And, through my horror and embarrassment for the mom of the twins I manage, "Well, it's pretty hard," and the woman says, "Well when I take my grandkids out they never misbehave because I just pinch them." And with a smug look she turns around, thankfully. Because I seriously wanted to pinch her.

Now I first of all want to say that I was SO EVERLOVING GRATEFUL that my kids were being good at that moment. Never, ever have I been so happy to have my kids behaving decently. Shortly after this exchange Benson got wild amounts of praise and promise of otter pops when we get home. Love that kid. Normally we can be found wrestling each other with threats of notreatsfortherestofyourlifesohelpme at Walmart but hey, at least when stinky people were watching I got the prize for having good kids.

Secondly, HOW RUDE! I was absolutely astounded by this woman's rudeness but I am grateful at the same time because it made me remember how incredibly important it is to be kind to one another. I'm not one for scriptures on my blog but I was preparing a fhe lesson a few days ago and came across this one that I think is just so important to not share. Ephesians 4: 32 (Bible, King James Version):

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."


I especially love the part about being tenderhearted, because I really think it encapsulates all those Christ-like attributes I am striving to have on a daily basis.
Anyway, end of thoughts here but I really wish that everyone could be a little kinder to each other. What a better place our world would be. Oh and yes, I re-read my post and realized wanting to pinch the woman in front of me is the opposite of what I'm talking about here but I'm still a work in progress. :)

10 comments:

Nana said...

I Love You and find you truly Amazing...you make me smile :)

Stephanie said...

i am so shocked by what that lady said to you! i hate that kind of thing. i have been the lady who is a mess with her child, but has to get something mailed out, and then it's straight home to naps! so many times i cant even count them.

i am glad you wrote this, because even though i have been there, i need reminders big time. thanks.

mandakay said...

wow, good for you for keeping your cool. Who is she to judge the mother any how? That lights my fire! lol ive been in that position many of times when my kids want to act like animals and there isnt too much i can do but give friendly smiles in hopes that they forgive me and understand my situation. Thanks for the reminder to be kind. We need more people like you in the world. Your great!

Abby said...

Who is this lady? I bet her grandkids really LOvE going out with her!
Congrats on making it through without experiencing her wrath.

Excellent scripture, very well said.

laura d said...

well, I think if Jesus was ok when he threw the people out of the temple for selling stuff he might pinch a mean granny so she would be nicer to her grandkids. Maybe that's just me...But way to go! It makes me so happy for you to be able to realize such a simple truth but its something so many people forget. And Kudos to Benson for being an awesome little boy!! I love moments when you finally get a little back what you've been putting into that brain of his for the last three years.

Christine Bushman said...

a word or two of advice about post offices ( if you don't want to stand in line)
Go 45 mintues to 1 hour after they have opened..small to no lines. But don't go on a day after a holiday.
I have been in your shoes, too.

laura d said...

Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are. ~Author Unknown

Anonymous said...

Lol....I am soooooo sorry Carrie. THank you so much for doing that. I feel terrible....I owe you the world!!!!!! That is just nutz that she pinches her grandkids....I guess the world has all kinds. It is amazing that you got such insight from this dreadful trip to the post office. Carrie you are all inspiring to me! Love you tons and thank you soooo much, again.... really do owe you big time!!!!

Caity said...

Things like that just make me sad. I have to wonder though, how many times have I done that thinking no one could hear me. We're all work in progresses. And it reminds me, I have Benson's motorcycle and Bank's shirt (at least I think it's his because I don't know who else it would be).

Also, I've been thinking for two days about what I want my message in the R.S. newsletter to be and that scripture is prefect, so I'm going to use it :)

boo face mcjones said...

what a fab-o post.

yesterday i was trying to load my new 6-foot long plastic table into the back of my honda civic when a kind young man just came over and asked if i needed help. and then he just tossed it in like it wasn't a difficult task at all.

between that experience and this post, i am certainly inspired.