So..while I was shopping today, a little boy(3 ish?)threw himself on the floor and would not get up or answer to his Mom. She was almost in tears. She also had a smaller little girl in a stroller. Clearly she had her hands full, and I suspected that since it was a little past lunchtime, SOMEONE was in need of a nap. She sheepishly mentioned that this was only their first stop and that she had more errands to run. I could tell she was dreading her day. As he lay on the floor, I bent down and started talking to him. My name is Beth..what's yours? Gage. Did you have a fun Thanksgiving? shook his head yes. His Mom thanked me. Did you eat lots of turkey?..yes. Did you have pie?..big grin. Then he finally got up and came over to me and showed me his new hat and sweater(even gave me a little whirl around look). He was a beautiful child, strawberry blonde curls and light blue eyes, with pink cheeks. I asked if he wanted to see himself in the mirror, he nodded yes(Mom gave me the nod also), then he took my hand and led us to the mirror. After admiring himself in the mirror, with my continual "coo-ing" of "what a big boy you are", "you sure are handsome", "you are being soooo good", etc., I sat on a chair close to where his Mom was shopping and I could see that she was teary eyed.
Gage continued to tell me all about his Thanksgivng. I asked where he had dinner and he told me "Nanna's house", "but just Papa was there". He climbed in my lap and put his little arms around me and clung to my neck, and I started to rock him. Now his Mom is sobbing, and she told me "My Mother passed away in February and this is our first family Holiday without her". Now, for the benefit of those who may be reading this and don't know me, my own Mother died in February 2010 and this was my "first" Holiday without her. Although I don't have children, I sure undertood the pain of missing your Mommy over the Holidays, more so than any other day in the year.
Of course by now, I am choked up and sobbing. I never got his Mother's name, but we discussed how we plan to get through Christmas and agreed it will probably be harder than Thanksgiving. And all this time, little Gage is still sitting in my lap, hugging my neck and patting my face too. His Mom and I finally dried up. I sat for a little big longer, letting Gage hug on me and squeezing him back, and sneaking in a tickle here and there while his Mom shopped. Now he was laughing and being silly but well behaved. I finally stood up and said my good byes. I shook his little hand and told him I had fun with him.
As I walked out of the store empty handed(completely bailed on my shopping..lol), I heard a little voice say "Bye Beff"...I smiled and waved good bye again, then got in my truck and balled for a few minutes.
I'll never forget Gage and I will surely see him around town again with his Mom, but for now, this has left a profound feeling of "understanding", and kindness between myself and a complete stranger.
