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Toddling Through the Silicon Valley

By Cheryl Bac

E-mail Cheryl Bac

About this blog: I'm a wife, stay-at-home mom, home cook, marathon runner, and PhD. I recently moved to the Silicon Valley after completing my PhD in Social Psychology and becoming a mother one month apart. Before that, I ran seven marathons incl...  (More)

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Kindness from strangers

Uploaded: Nov 30, 2015
Last week our daughter had her first ear infection. She was inconsolable. I knew something was wrong but wasn't sure exactly what the problem was until we went to the doctor.

Her ear infection was bad enough that we had to pick up medicine for her at our local pharmacy. I knew this errand would be a disaster. Our daughter was in pain and our son hadn't slept well due to his sister's cries. Not only had he just been to the doctor himself earlier that day, but I also woke him up from a much needed nap to take his sister to her doctor appointment.

When we went into the pharmacy both of my kids were unhappy. And, of course, there was a line to pick up prescriptions.

I am so grateful for the other shoppers in the store. One let me skip her in line. And I overheard another talking about how hard it must have been for my daughter to be in pain. No one gave me a mean look or said a snarky comment. Everyone seemed to be sympathetic or had walked in my shoes recently enough to know what was going on. Their kindness and sympathy was exactly what I needed to power through the rest of the day.
Democracy.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by Mother of 4 , a resident of Palo Verde School,
on Dec 2, 2015 at 8:28 am

This sort of thing does not surprise me at all. I have experienced so much courtesy from people who have been there and know what it is like when out and about with young children. Even now when I am out without kids in tow, I always hold doors for parents with strollers or sick kids, and whatever else they need.

It is only when you have had a couple of toddlers in tow that you realize just how difficult a simple errand can be. When you put a tired or sick child into the mix and the type of errand that can't be left to another time, it gets even harder. Most people who have been parents of young children get it. Those who haven't been there yet, just don't get it.

Just enjoy and appreciate the help, as you obviously do, and then when you don't have toddlers with you, you will be one of the helpers to others too knowing exactly what it is like when you see a parent who obviously needs just a little extra help.


Posted by Cheryl Bac, a Palo Alto Online blogger,
on Dec 2, 2015 at 11:29 am

Cheryl Bac is a registered user.

Mother of 4 - Yes, definitely plan to return the favor whenever I can.


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