Post by rosa on Jan 1, 2009 8:18:51 GMT -7
I had to make a quick stop at a very over-crowded store yesterday, to pick up a few things in advance of the New Year's revelry we were headed to. Pressed for time, lots of noise and people, kids crying, long lines. Everyone knows what this is like.
I'm in line at the checkout, the family behind me appears equally impatient, except for one person. A boy, some 12-14 years old, who is delighted with everything he sees around him. He's a huge kid, all smiles and cheer in the midst of the chaos, and he is trying very hard to let everyone he sees know just how he feels. His behavior is not the only thing that's noticeable, given the grumpy impatience all around him. He also appears to have a pronounced "mental" disability and he cannot speak all that well.
Soon enough, he sets his sights on me, and exuberantly wishes me a Happy New Year, giving me what has got to be the most hearty hug I've ever had in my life. He then proceeds to chatter some more, he kisses me on the cheeck several times, telling me he is happy, he has a cake, he is going to a party, he likes the contents in my basket. Everything on his mind comes out in a delighted rush, often accompanied by heavy pats on the back, meant only as expressions of affection and enthusiasm. As I talk with him, he becomes a little too enthused and makes a passable effort to hop into my lap, which would have been easier to do, had I been sitting down. His family looks on in horror.
And then his mother moves quickly to settle him, as I calmly assure her I am alright, I understand he meant no harm. I cannot help but enjoy every second this kid has chosen to share with me, in spite of the fact that I've been knocked off my feet. And I do everything I can to tell her so. I share this feeling with the boy too, thanking him for his kisses and wishing him all the best. I tell him I know he's is going to love his cake and have a great time at his party, and soon enough, he's all smiles again.
As I am leaving, I make it a point to turn and thank the mother for bringing such a special kid into the world, she's gracious enough to ask again if I'm okay, and I feel compelled to make sure she understands that she's given the world a gift in sharing her son.
What that mother didn't know is that last week, I was the recipient of a very different visit from a overwhelming stranger, who didn't have my best interest in mind and had no intention of wishing me anything but harm. If it hadn't been for the assistance I received from a couple of guardian angels then, I would have been in serious trouble. And up until yesterday afternoon, every time I was approached unexpectedly, I would startle a little.
Thanks to that wonderful boy and his mother, I think I'm all better now.
I'm in line at the checkout, the family behind me appears equally impatient, except for one person. A boy, some 12-14 years old, who is delighted with everything he sees around him. He's a huge kid, all smiles and cheer in the midst of the chaos, and he is trying very hard to let everyone he sees know just how he feels. His behavior is not the only thing that's noticeable, given the grumpy impatience all around him. He also appears to have a pronounced "mental" disability and he cannot speak all that well.
Soon enough, he sets his sights on me, and exuberantly wishes me a Happy New Year, giving me what has got to be the most hearty hug I've ever had in my life. He then proceeds to chatter some more, he kisses me on the cheeck several times, telling me he is happy, he has a cake, he is going to a party, he likes the contents in my basket. Everything on his mind comes out in a delighted rush, often accompanied by heavy pats on the back, meant only as expressions of affection and enthusiasm. As I talk with him, he becomes a little too enthused and makes a passable effort to hop into my lap, which would have been easier to do, had I been sitting down. His family looks on in horror.
And then his mother moves quickly to settle him, as I calmly assure her I am alright, I understand he meant no harm. I cannot help but enjoy every second this kid has chosen to share with me, in spite of the fact that I've been knocked off my feet. And I do everything I can to tell her so. I share this feeling with the boy too, thanking him for his kisses and wishing him all the best. I tell him I know he's is going to love his cake and have a great time at his party, and soon enough, he's all smiles again.
As I am leaving, I make it a point to turn and thank the mother for bringing such a special kid into the world, she's gracious enough to ask again if I'm okay, and I feel compelled to make sure she understands that she's given the world a gift in sharing her son.
What that mother didn't know is that last week, I was the recipient of a very different visit from a overwhelming stranger, who didn't have my best interest in mind and had no intention of wishing me anything but harm. If it hadn't been for the assistance I received from a couple of guardian angels then, I would have been in serious trouble. And up until yesterday afternoon, every time I was approached unexpectedly, I would startle a little.
Thanks to that wonderful boy and his mother, I think I'm all better now.