What Did I Find at Goodwill???

I had a few minutes on Friday so I thought I'd take a run to goodwill.  Oh I found something all right--no not a dress or even shoes.  I found an out of control mother!!!  Here was this mom screaming at the top of her lungs that her kid was pure evil or maybe she was just a bad mom.  I pick the 2nd idea!!  She ranted and raved how she just couldn't do it and how hard it was to be a mom.  She told all that we just had no idea how hard being a mom could be.  On and on she went.  I tuned her out real quick as all I could do was watch the "bad kid."  She couldn't have been more than 4 years old standing in front of me with tears streaming down her pretty little face.

Mom was still yelling at the top of her lungs as she made her way to the back of the store.  The child stood still in the front where I was standing.  She looked up at me with boogers sliding down mixed with all the tears and my heart just broke.  Now --I make it a policy to never talk to someone's little kid without a parent standing there.  I don't want to scare them but this kid needed someone. I took out a tissue and wiped her little nose.  I told her there was no way she could be a bad little girl she was way too cute.  Finally she looked up and took my hand.  Oh shit--now what was I to do???  I chatted about the book in her hand and she mumbled a little.  The tears stopped and I walked her back to her mom. 

Mom started to tell me her sob story and I diverted her.  Oh all I wanted to do at that point was pull her hair out and agree--she was a bad mom.  But she would only take it out on that child and she couldn't take anymore.

I agreed with her that being a mom is hard and I felt sorry she was so upset.  I asked if she had someone to call and maybe help her out from time to time.  I asked if the little girl was in school.  No to both.  I even hugged her and it took all I had to keep it together.  Now I wasn't the only one...she had the attention of the whole store.  A kind old man calmed her down and another lady gave the child a lollipop.

When the storm looked over I left the store shaken. Oh I wanted to tell her off but sometimes all it takes is someone to say a kind word to turn things around.  I sat in my car and argued with myself and finally headed back inside.

I gave her a piece of paper with my cell number on it and told her if she needed help to call me.  If I couldn't help her then I would find help for her. I was mad at her and didn't think much of her but the child with those big green eyes made me do it!

When I went to leave I asked permission to give the little girl a hug and the mom said she didn't care.  I got down on my knees and took her in my arms and handed her a few more tissues.  I told her to be a good girl and make sure she reads that princess book.  I whispered in her ear that everything would be ok and to remember that she is a good little girl.  She looked at me with a little smile and said "You're a good girl too."  I reminded the mom she had a number and left the store with tears sliding down my face.

Truth be told the women looked to me like she was an addict.  Now I know they don't all look alike and they don't wear a sign that says "addict" but I have seen a few and I'd bet she was coming down from a high and that is why she went off so easily.

No I didn't find a dress or even shoes but I did make a great find!  I found a little girl with big green eyes who needed the help of some strangers.